High cut-off marks is due to demand-supply mismatch: Sibal

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The controversial 100 per cent cut-off marks this year for admission in certain streams in Delhi University is due to the demand-supply dynamics and a solution to this lay only in expanding the educational infrastructure, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has said.

"If the demand is much greater than supply, then the cut-off will go high automatically. It's an institutional issue," he said here.

"If there is one Sri Ram College of Commerce and everybody wants admission there, what solution can I have?" he asked.

Sibal, who had earlier termed the high cut-off as 'irrational', said a solution to the problem lies in expanding the educational infrastructure across the country.

"Government cannot set up all the education institutions, universities and colleges. So, the private sector must play an important role in the years to come and we want expansion of private sector in education sector," he added.

The high cut-off marks, including 100 per cent in Sri Ram College of Commerce, one of Delhi University's famous colleges, for admission this year had triggered a major row last month with a majority of students and parents coming out against such a yardstick.

Stating that fixing the cut-off at 100 per cent for non-Commerce students is also a reflection of the prevailing education system based on discipline, Sibal stressed on reforming the system.