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Ambedkar University’s September 30 order supersedes the July 31 order and provides greater flexibility to full-time PhD scholars receiving fellowships.
The revision comes amid a week-long protest by students affiliated with the All India Students’ Association (AISA). (File Photo)
Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) has revised its attendance guidelines for full-time PhD scholars receiving fellowships amid an ongoing student protest over attendance requirements and other campus-related issues.
The university issued a fresh office order on September 30, replacing its earlier order dated July 31. The revised guidelines provide greater flexibility to research scholars while requiring them to remain academically engaged, complete coursework, participate in seminars and maintain progress in their research work.
The dispute, however, has extended beyond attendance. Students and the university administration have also differed over campus entry, access to facilities, the location of protests and the provision of medical assistance to a protesting student.
AUD’s July 31 office order introduced attendance requirements for full-time PhD scholars receiving fellowships. The move led to concerns among research scholars and prompted protests on campus.
Students raised concerns over the implications of the attendance requirements for their academic and research work.
The university’s September 30 order supersedes the July 31 order and provides greater flexibility to full-time PhD scholars receiving fellowships.
However, the revised guidelines do not exempt scholars from academic responsibilities. They are required to participate in coursework and seminars, remain engaged in academic activities and demonstrate consistent progress in their research.
Under the revised guidelines, attendance records will be maintained by research supervisors and programme coordinators and verified by the Dean of the respective school.
Supervisors will also be responsible for monitoring scholars’ participation in academic activities and their research progress, under the overall guidance of the Dean. The university has said the guidelines are academic in nature and are aligned with UGC regulations and practices followed by other universities.
According to AUD, the objective is to strengthen the research ecosystem and ensure that research scholars remain engaged with academic and research activities. The university has said the guidelines are not intended to impose unnecessary restrictions on PhD scholars.
The revision comes amid a week-long protest by students affiliated with the All India Students’ Association (AISA).
The protest began over the PhD attendance guidelines but subsequently expanded to include issues related to campus access, facilities and other student concerns.
The situation escalated last week when protesting students alleged that security personnel prevented food and water from being brought to the protest site. They also alleged that there was a delay in taking a student for medical treatment after he became unconscious at around 3 am.
The university, however, said its medical team was continuously monitoring the health of protesting students and providing necessary assistance.
AISA also alleged that students were prevented from entering the campus, including students who were coming to attend classes and examinations.
The university said the library, laboratory and some other blocks had been closed for maintenance and security reasons and that students had been informed about the closures.
The university has said the students’ indefinite strike was being held without prior permission and that a designated space had been provided for peaceful protest. The administration also alleged that some protesters scuffled with security personnel and said the Delhi Police had been informed.
AISA, meanwhile, has called for the removal of physical barriers on campus, restoration of what it describes as a democratic campus environment, accountability over alleged obstruction of emergency medical access and unrestricted entry for registered students.
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October 06, 2026, 08:50 IST
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