ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO APPEAR FORTS LAWCET-2021

Hyderabad : 01/04/2021

To

The Special Chief Secretary Education

Government of Telangana

Hyderabad

Dear Special Chief Secretary,

Sub:  ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO APPEAR FORTS LAWCET-2021 - Discriminatory and Eliminatory - Remove the hurdle for direct degree and open degree to become Lawyers - REPEAL GO MS 31 DT. 18.03.2009, AND, RE-ISSUE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR LAWCET 2021 INCLUDING ALL GRADUATE DEGREE HOLDERS AND ABOVE WITH 45%-40% OR ABOVE

Ref:  https://lawcet.tsche.ac.in/UI/Eligibility.aspx

A. ELIMINATION AND DISCRIMINATION IN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR LAW DEGREE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION 2021:

We are appalled at the discrimination in the eligibility criteria laid down in the document ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO APPEAR FORTS LAWCET-2021.  The document available at

https://lawcet.tsche.ac.in/UI/Eligibility.aspx, states as follows:

'The candidates who have passed Degree examination by single sitting without undergoing three years course either through regular or private or correspondence and those who obtained the degree through open University directly without having any basic qualification are not eligible as per G.O. Ms No. 31 dated:18-03-2009''

It is understood from above that, eliminatory process for  to suit 'eligibility criteria' of obtaining a Bachelors Degree from any university is being segregated into two types:

1- passed degree examination by single sitting without undergoing three years course either through regular or private or correspondence;

2- obtained the degree through open university directly without having any basic qualification;

We fail to understand how and why  Bachelor degree university given by same university for example, Osmania University, whether as a single sitting or through three years course should be differentiated.

 Large Open Universities such as Indira Gandhi National Open Univeristy New Delhi having global presence with tagline 'The People's University' ignou.ac.in, and ,Telangana's Dr B R Ambedkar Open University Hyderabad with tagline 'Education AT Your Doorstep' https://www.braouonline.in/, have been established under the acts passed by Parliament and Assembly respectively,  to open up education and make it convenient for the financially and socially marginalized to pursue graduation and post graduation courses, and thus enhance the knowledge domain and expand potential of learners.

Not recognizing open university direct graduate degrees is a challenge from LAWCET to the prestigious IGNOU and BRAOU and many other open universities in our country.

B.  INCLUSION OF 'ANY OTHER EXAMINATION RECOGNIZED AS EQUIVALENT BY THE UNIVERSITIES CONCERNED.'

'The Candidates for 3-year LL. B Course should have passed any Graduate Degree (10+2+3 pattern) of a recognized University with 45% of aggregate marks for general category, and 40% for SC/ST or any other examination recognized as equivalent by the Universities concerned.  If any candidate secured less than 45% and 40% respectively in graduation as stated above, he should have secured same percentage or more on the aggregate in any additional Graduation or Post Graduation or B.Ed'

The  elimination and exclusion of passed degree examination thru 'single sitting' or 'open university directly' is further conspicuous as we observe that the Eligibility Criteria is willing to consider as eligibility 'any other examination recognized as equivalent by the Universities concerned'.

This is further complicating, because 'any other examination recognized as equivalent by the Universities concerned' is not defined, and how it is being concluded that the open universities' direct graduate degree and the single sitting graduate degree are considered as not 'equivalent' or nonequivalent.

They are further willing to give more concessions to the '(10+2+3 pattern)' graduate degree holders who could not even secure 45% or 40%,  that ,if they have secured 45% or 40%' in any additional Graduation or Post Graduation or B.Ed' they would still be eligible.

This discrimination and rating of graduate degree from 10+2+3 pattern vis-a-vis single-sitting and direct degree thru open univeristy is beyond any sane comprehension.

C. REPEAL GO MS 31 DT. 18.03.2009, AND, RE-ISSUE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR LAWCET 2021 INCLUDING ALL GRADUATE DEGREE HOLDERS AND ABOVE WITH 45%-40% OR ABOVE:

We urge the Government of Telangana thru the Special Chief Secretary, Higher Education, that they immediately repeal G.O. Ms No. 31 dated:18-03-2009, which they cite as basis for eliminating and excluding a section of graduate degree holders from applying for LAWCET 2021.   Further, to re-issue the LAWCET 2021 eligibility criteria immediately so that every graduate degree holder with the requisite percentage can apply and seek a chance to become law officers of this country.

Such a reductionist, limitational, process of elimination and exclusion of a section of graduate degree holders who took the route of single-sitting graduate degree exam and/or open university direct graduate degree exam, is not acceptable under the ethos of Constitution of India that bestows on each citizen right to equality and right to dignity of life.

We trust to hear from you promptly and seek immediate action on the above in public interest.

best

Dr Lubna Sarwath, gen secy, Socialist Party(India) hyderabad

Janab Nayeemullah Sharief, Founder-President, Telangana Education Foundation, Hyderabad

Janab Maqbool Mateen, National President, United Citizens Forum, Hyderabad