Not many DU aspirants prefer to study Sanskrit

The soul of all Indian languages, Sanskrit, has crossed all boundaries and developed charm in the West. However, in Delhi University, BA Sanskrit (Hons) course offered by the varsity has been falling out of favour.

In the University's fifth cut-off list, the lowest cut-off for the course was set at 45 per cent at Mata Sundri College for Women, with many available seats for admission.

"Nowadays, aspirants are more inclined towards pursuing technical courses or job-oriented programmes, rather than courses like Sankrit. So, the cut-offs that we keep for these are not as high as that of other courses," said an official at DU.

The official added that every honours course has 45 seats for each available course. Moreover, this year, some of the prominent colleges such as Hindu, Hans Raj, Lady Shri Ram and Ramjas, had already closed admissions in their first list.

"Students wish to study in top-rung colleges, but do not have the marks to pursue a subject of their choice. So they often take up Sanskrit to get the opportunity to study in a North Campus college," said Nandini sharma, an aspirant.

Professor Sharda Sharma, professor and head of the University's Sanskrit Department, said there is a misconception among students that only low-scorers take up BA Sanskrit (Hons).

"The career prospects of studying the language are the same as that of any BA course. Graduates in the discipline can become academics, sit for competitive exams and even get government jobs," said Prof Sharma.

Notwithstanding the misconception, several colleges are trying to introduce BA Sanskrit (Hons) to popularise the course. "We are awaiting approval from the University Grants Commission for the same," said an official at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College.

"Lack of awareness about the career prospects of the course is hampering its demand. We have tried to make the course as relevant as possible, so that students find interest in the subject. Students from the poor strata are keen to study in the varsity and opt for the subject," said Professor Ramesh C Bhardwaj of the Sanskrit department.