Being an Art Educationist and alumni based in Delhi for many generations, I am concerned about the outmoded academic programmes and deplorable conditions at College of Art, New Delhi in which faculty members are not encouraged, motivated, or supported in their academic growth, followed by uncooperative  administration. 

“Too many cooks spoil the broth” goes very true with College of Art.

Since its inception in 1941 as Art Department at Delhi Polytechnic and till today College of Art is considered as Polytechnic College, and is being governed by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for all academic purposes.

1.     During 1972-73 College was affiliated to University of Delhi for Degree purpose and recently merged with Ambedkar University?

2.     The faculty/teachers are appointed through Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) following RRs issued by AICTE.

3.     Financial Grant is received from Art and Culture, Government of NCT Delhi.

4.     Office staff is posted and controlled by Services Department, Government of NCT of Delhi.

5.     Reservation Policy as per Indraprastha University, Delhi.

6.     Overall control is of Directorate of Training and Technical Education (DTTE), Government of NCT of Delhi.

There for

1.     None of the programme being offered by College of Art fall under the purview of AICTE.

2.     For most of the disciplines at College of Art, AICTE/DTTE has not formulated or notified Nomenclature of Degrees, Teacher’s qualification and Recruitment Rules, whereas, across the Country these are followed as per UGC guidelines of quality and standards.

3.     Till date AICTE has not approved/notified student intake/strength and no promotion of teaching staff (CAS) has not taken place since 2010.

4.     There is no regular Principal since 2012.

5.     The College is being run by staff on transfer.

6.     The College Library and Studios are not updated since 2011.

7.     The unrest, lack of respect, motivation, cooperation prevails among all employees and students in the College.   

There is prevailing need to establish a dedicated Art University in NCR to cater the demand and develop academic environment in particular to performing and visual arts. Therefore, the status of College of Art may be upgraded to a State University to fulfill a long-dreamed requirement for the citizen of Delhi, where National Museum, Lalit Kala Academy, National Institute Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art co-exist to foster creative hunger of the students. The University shall be under State Government and teaching staff regulated by UGC regulation. This may also fulfill the commitment made by the Delhi Government to establish new universities in Delhi NCR.