DU CLC Protest 2025 intensifies as Delhi University students oppose a sudden change in final exam format. Learn how last-minute decisions have impacted students’ futures.
The DU CLC protest 2025 has brought Delhi University under the spotlight as final-year English students protest a sudden change in their exam format. Students say the last-minute shift has caused mental stress, academic uncertainty, and financial hardship. The protest is being led by the All India Students Association (AISA) and supported by the Student Federation of India (SFI).
In April 2025, the Department of English at Delhi University declared that the “Research Methodology” paper would follow a practical assessment format. This included a 1,500-word proposal and a 2,500-word research paper. There was no mention of any written end-of-semester exam in the official notice.
Students and teachers had spent months working together on research. Supervisors had guided students through the writing and submission process. Everything was on track until May 24, when students received a sudden email. The department informed them that they now had to appear for a 90-mark offline exam scheduled for June 21.
This triggered the DU CLC protest 2025, as students felt betrayed and misled. Many have completed their projects and are ready to wrap up the semester by May 27. The last-minute change has left students confused and angry.
Accommodation is another concern. Most students had planned to leave after May. Hostel tenures are ending, and rental leases have expired. Students from other states and countries are now struggling to extend their stay in Delhi. The protest is also drawing attention to these logistical problems.
Foreign students are especially affected. One student from Dhaka said that returning to India after leaving will be tough. India has stopped issuing many visas to Bangladeshi nationals. Even student visas are delayed due to political tensions. Flight tickets and hotel stays are expensive, costing thousands of rupees. Safety is also a concern for international women students travelling alone.
The DU CLC protest 2025 is also highlighting the lack of accountability in the administration. Students claim that Anjana Sharma, the Head of the Department, has blamed the faculty for the miscommunication. No clear apology or plan has come from the department.
A group of students met Sharma and proposed a new evaluation plan. This new plan included 50 marks for the proposal and research paper and 40 marks for a written test. The hope was that internal faculty would evaluate all submissions, as they know the context of each paper.
However, during a departmental meeting, Sharma announced that papers would be sent to external evaluators. This is rare for undergraduate submissions. Students are worried because many papers include sensitive topics. Some focus on LGBTQ+ rights, academic freedom, and the experiences of Muslim students.
Sending such papers to unknown evaluators could compromise privacy and fairness. The DU CLC protest 2025 is now also about protecting the content of these papers and the voices they represent.
The protesting students have written letters to the dean of student welfare and the dean of academic affairs. They are asking the university to return to the earlier format or accept the new 50-40 evaluation plan.
So far, the department has not given a clear solution. Protesters say they are being labelled as “violent” even though their protest has remained peaceful. They claim they were not allowed to speak during meetings and have been treated unfairly.
The DU CLC protest 2025 continues outside the offices of the Head of Department and the Dean. Students are demanding justice and clarity. They want the administration to respect the efforts they have put into their academic work.
Faculty members have also shown concern. A professor, speaking anonymously, said the university had failed to act responsibly. The professor said there was no system in place to fix such mistakes. Once the error was found, no meeting with stakeholders was arranged. As a result, students are left feeling helpless.
The DU CLC protest 2025 is not just about one exam. It is about how universities should treat students, especially at the end of their degrees. Students say they deserve better communication, more respect, and timely decisions.
The situation has revealed bigger issues in university management. It shows how poor planning can cause harm to students. It also shows the importance of listening to student voices and acting fairly.
Delhi University has not yet released an official explanation. The Wire has written to the Head of the Department asking for a response. This report will be updated once a reply is received.
The DU CLC protest 2025 shows how one change can affect many lives. Students want their original evaluation method back. They want their hard work to be honoured. Above all, they want the university to take responsibility. DU CLC protest 2025