After backlash, JNU grants extra semester to submit PhD synopsis. Unhappy students want previous ordinance reinstated

The JNU administration has decided to grant one extra semester to PhD students to get their thesis synopsis submissions. The administration had previously issued a circular stating that PhD students were required to submit the synopsis of their thesis within one year of completing their MPhil degrees. 

Various student associations and departments, including the Centre for Historical studies had expressed their disappointment with the new rule. They had pointed out that it was impossible for them to submit their synopsis within such a short span of time. The students wrote, "Historical research requires extensive archival work and field work which is a rigorous process and entails a definite amount of time (not conducive with the present ordinance)." 

They also pointed out that it is illegal for an ordinance passed in passed in 2017 to apply to students who took the admission in 2016 and 2017. The statement invoked the High Court judgement that has ruled that provisions and ordinances existing during the issue of the prospectus be the only valid document for consideration. 

The ABVP also released a statement on the issue and called the move 'anti-reserach, anti-academic and anti-student'. In response, the administration released a circular saying that after issues were raised against the decision, a meeting was held between all the deans. "After due deliberation on various aspects, the members present in the meeting recommended that one extra semester be given to students to complete their synopsis approval process," the circular read. It also said that the VC had treated the issue as a 'special case'.

However, the students are unhappy with the response and are demanding that the University go back to the previous ordinance. Blaming the VC for taking such measures in order to cut seats, the JNUSU President, N Sai Balaji write on FB, "First they reduce time unilaterally to two semesters and then say we are gracing you with one additional semester. This is heights of stupidity. We will not settle for anything less that our previous rule which you illegally shunted out because you want a batch of 1st year nearly 800 students out of JNU! This is your new policy of seat cut."