Punjab University Gives up NRI Sponsored Seats

For the next academic session, the Punjab University will not grant admission to students seeking admission under the NRI and industry sponsored seats, as per the statement by the advocate of the Vice-Chancellor of the university.

Two categories of seats, the NRI sponsored and the Industry sponsored
seats are yet to be filled up and the university would not be making any
fresh admissions under the category.

The university, however, will protect the seats of all students who
have already secured admission before July 27 this year. The court ruled
that the existing admissions for the NRI and industry sponsored seats
were illegal and would have to be cancelled.

Punjab University is forced to abide by the Supreme Court guidelines
which objected to such nominated seats. The violation by the University
was brought to light by the High Court.

The Supreme Court had directed educational institutions to grant admission
under the Non Resident Indian category only if the applicant is a NRI
or the ward of a NRI. This permission was being flouted by educational
institutions, observed the High Court.

The Punjab University has agreed to follow the court’s diktat of admitting NRI students only in this category. It would mean a loss of Rs.22 crore that the University earned through NRI sponsored seats, and could also affect the development work on the campus.

The fees charged by the university are the lowest in the region, and
it has been tough for the university in paying the staff salaries on time.