New Delhi: Amid talks of 27 percent quota reservations for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Delhi University (DU) has decided to put aside over 5,000 seats for OBC students in undergraduate courses from the forthcoming academic session.

In order to facilitate implementation of 27 percent OBC quota in a phased manner, the varsity has already hiked the total number of seats by 18 percent this year to smoothly earmark nine percent seats for OBC candidates.

Now, as a result of an 18 percent hike, the total number of seats available at various colleges affiliated to DU stands at 42,000 from the previous figure of 35,000.

"For every 100 seats, we have increased 18 seats. Out of the 118 seats, 78 will go to General candidates, 18 to Scheduled Castes, 13 to OBCs and 9 to Scheduled Tribes," told, Prof. Deepak Pental, DU Vice Chancellor.

"One can implement an 18 percent increase at once. For us, however, 2009 will be more critical as meeting expenses will be a problem if enough funds are not provided," Prof. Pental further added.

Further, on the need of speedy paperwork in this regard, he said, "For increasing the number of seats, we also need to enhance the infrastructure simultaneously. There are procedures laid down for the same. If some clerical staff is sitting on it, we cannot do much."

Prof. Deepak Pental in conversation with the National Network of Education (NNE).