From mandatory to optional: Jamia Millia Islamia makes 50% Muslim quota optional, student body condemns move

New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has revised its PhD admission policy, making the 50% Muslim reservation optional instead of mandatory, raising concerns about the dilution of its minority quota.

The amendment, notified on November 12, 2024, modifies Ordinance 9 (IX) by replacing “shall” with “may,” giving departments discretion over implementing the reservation. The updated policy states that faculties “may pay due attention” to JMI’s reservation policy, whereas previously, 50% of seats were explicitly reserved for Muslim candidates.

Approved by vice-chancellor professor Mazhar Asif and signed by registrar professor Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi, the change has drawn criticism from student groups. The All India Students’ Association (AISA) condemned it as a “deliberate attack on the rights of Muslim students,” arguing that Jamia, a constitutionally recognised minority institution, is legally bound to uphold the 50% quota under the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act, 2004.

AISA highlighted that several departments have unfilled seats despite eligible Muslim applicants. For instance, the English department has 17 vacant seats while admitting 15 non-Muslim and 12 Muslim candidates. The Sociology department left 14 seats vacant, admitting 11 non-Muslim and 6 Muslim students.

The student body accused the administration of intentionally leaving seats vacant rather than filling them with Muslim candidates, undermining Jamia’s minority status. They have demanded an immediate rollback of the amendment, an independent inquiry into alleged discrimination, and accountability from the administration.