Exam row: Delhi University allows Unmukt Chand to move to second year of graduation

New Delhi: Delhi University Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh on Friday said that Unmukt Chand, the captain of U-19 Indian cricket team which won the World Cup, will be allowed to move to the second year of graduation. Chand was denied permission by St Stephen's College to appear for his first year exams due to short attendance.

Chand, however, will have to clear his first year exams during the third and fourth semesters of the second year.

Happy with the development, an elated Chand tweeted, "Thank you St Stephens. Love my college. Thank you everyone for the support. Pappu pass ho gaya :)"

Happy with the development, an elated Unmukt Chand tweeted, \"Thank you everyone. Pappu pass ho gaya.\"

Earlier in the day, the Delhi University Vice Chancellor had written to Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken saying he would look into Chand's case at the earliest. "As regards Unmukt Chand's case, the matter came to my attention two days ago and we have strongly urged the Principal to forward the papers to us as the earliest so that we can assist Unmukt," Singh told Maken.

Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal also spoke to Dinesh Singh as well as the Principal of St Stephen's College, Valson Thampu, after Team India captain MS Dhoni and Maken rallied behind the young cricketer.

Asked if there should be a policy for such cases, Sibal said there should be a provision under university regulations where such emergency powers can be used in special cases in national interest.

Delhi University rules mandate a student to have at least 33.3 per cent attendance in an academic session after all exemptions, but 19-year-old Unmukt, a first year BA student of St Stephen's College, could not attend required number of classes owing to his cricketing engagements.

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