Jamia’s 50 Per Cent Muslim Reservation in PhD Admissions Made Optional
TNN News : Jamia Millia Islamia’s (JMI) recent amendment to its PhD admission policy has sparked concerns over the perceived weakening of its minority reservation mandate. The change, made through a notification issued on November 12, 2024, alters the language of the ordinance governing PhD admissions, making the 50 per cent reservation for Muslim students optional rather than mandatory.
As per media reports, the revised Ordinance 9 (IX), available on the university’s website, states that departments “may pay due attention” to JMI’s reservation policy. Previously, the policy mandated that “50 percent of the seats shall be reserved for Muslim candidates.” The amendment was approved by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mazhar Asif on behalf of the Academic Council and the Executive Council, with Registrar Professor Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi signing the notification.
As a constitutionally protected minority institution, Jamia is entitled to reserve half of its seats for Muslim students under the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act, 2004. However, the latest change has left the implementation of this quota at the discretion of individual departments, triggering criticism from student bodies and rights groups.
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) has strongly condemned the move, calling it a “deliberate attack on the rights of Muslim students.” In a statement issued on Friday, AISA said, “Jamia Millia Islamia, a constitutionally protected minority institution, is legally bound to reserve 50% of its seats for Muslim students. However, the recent amendment has deliberately weakened this policy by making the reservation optional.”
The student organisation also cited data highlighting the alleged exclusion of Muslim candidates. According to figures shared by AISA, several departments have left a significant number of seats vacant despite having Muslim applicants. Reports indicate that in the Department of English, 17 seats remained vacant in the 2024-25 academic year, while 15 non-Muslim candidates and only 12 Muslim students were admitted.
