Bhopal: A policy change by the state higher education department, removing physical fitness tests from the eligibility criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate physical education courses, has stoked a major controversy as students across state varsities are allegedly not being allowed to take exams on the grounds of being ‘physically unfit’.Until recently, applicants to physical education programmes were mandated to clear a physical fitness test.
The department’s recent decision to allow admission based solely on sports certificates led to a large number of enrollments — but without an on‑entry assessment of suitability. Now, universities are retroactively screening students while blocking those they consider incapable of meeting course requirements.
At Barkatullah University, officials cancelled the admission of a female student after determining that she was 70% visually impaired. The student and her colleagues have questioned why suitability for a physically demanding professional course was not assessed through a test before admission, arguing the department’s rule shifted the burden from admission authorities to students who have already completed months of study.
Students termed the policy reversal a glaring procedural flaw.
“Removing the fitness test without introducing an alternative screening or clear guidelines created a gap that universities are now trying to fill,” said Animesh Yadav, a student, adding, “Either the department should reinstate proper assessments at admission, or universities must be given standard criteria and time to conduct fitness evaluations before exams.”
The universities, too, conceded that they face a dilemma — follow the department’s relaxed admission rule or uphold academic and professional standards that require students to meet fitness benchmarks. Administrators also pointed to the difficulty of reconciling sports certificates of varying credibility with the practical demands of physical education training.
Senior faculty members warned that the ad‑hoc rollback of the mandatory fitness test could invite litigation. “If admissions were granted under the state’s policy, retroactive disqualification without a transparent, uniform process may be unlawful,” said a senior professor on the condition of anonymity.
The controversy has left affected students uncertain about their academic futures, raising broader questions about policy making — whether administrative convenience should trump professional suitability, and how to frame admission rules that protect both access and course integrity.
The higher education department has not issued any clarification over the policy change till date.
Students and university bodies have demanded immediate guidelines to reinstate pre‑admission fitness tests, establish a standardised post‑admission evaluation window or set clear exemptions and alternative pathways for differently abled candidates.
The department officials refused to comment when reached for responses on the matter.
