DU Admission 2026: There’s great news for students awaiting admission to Delhi University (DU). While the admission process through CUET 2026 continues, two DU colleges have begun direct admissions based on Class 12 scores. This decision was taken to fill vacant seats. Find out which colleges will offer this facility, who can apply, and what clarification the university has provided.
DU Admission 2026: Delhi University (DU) is currently conducting undergraduate admissions through CUET and the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS). Meanwhile, two of the university’s off-campus colleges have begun direct admissions based on Class 12 scores. This decision has brought relief to thousands of students who, for whatever reason, could not secure a seat through CUET or are still awaiting admission. However, this decision has also sparked a new debate within the university.
How will admission be done?
Both colleges have asked students to download and fill out application forms from their respective websites. Applications will be submitted directly to the colleges, and the colleges will then prepare the merit lists based on their 12th grade scores. This process will not use the CSAS portal, meaning students will apply directly to the colleges, and the colleges will complete the entire admission process. No traditional cut-off lists will be issued during this time.
The college has released the complete schedule.
Sister Nivedita College has asked students to submit their applications by August 5th. The merit list will be released on that day. After this, the document verification and fee submission process will continue until August 7th. Aditi College has also invited direct applications. The application deadline has been set here, and the merit list is scheduled to be released on the same day.
Why did Delhi University give special permission?
Delhi University Registrar Vikas Gupta stated that this is not a new admission policy but rather, permission has been granted considering the special circumstances of both colleges. He added that for the past several years, a large number of seats have remained vacant in both colleges. The colleges are located far from the city’s main center. Students initially enroll, but later leave their seats after finding better colleges. This results in a large number of seats remaining vacant. For this reason, both colleges requested special permission from the university, which was granted.
Will this system be implemented in the entire Delhi University?
The Registrar clarified that this should not be considered a new university policy. Currently, no other college has sought such permission. He added that the main undergraduate admission process at Delhi University will continue to be conducted through CUET and CSAS. This permission has been granted only to these two colleges, given their special circumstances.
Every year a large number of seats remain vacant
According to Delhi University data, last year, the highest number of seats remained vacant in both colleges. Sister Nivedita College had 709 vacant seats out of a total of 985 approved seats. At Aditi College, approximately 600 out of nearly 1,000 seats remained unfilled. To address this problem, an alternative admission process was initiated early this year.
Colleges told the reason for vacant seats
Ruby Mishra, principal of Bhagini Nivedita College, said the college is located in the Najafgarh area. Initially, around 600 students enrolled through CSAS, but after the upgrade round, only around 200 remained. She added that the college lacks dormitories, cafes, and a student environment similar to those found in other colleges in the city. Traveling long distances to college every day is also difficult for many students.
Rural area students will benefit
Neelam Rathi, Principal of Aditi Mahavidyalaya, explained that the college was originally created for students from Bawana and surrounding rural areas. She added that many students are unfamiliar with the CUET application process or are unable to take the exam due to the application fees and other expenses. Such students will benefit from the opportunity to be admitted based on their 12th grade scores. She also noted that meritorious students with scores above 90 percent are also applying through this process.
There were vacant seats even in big colleges
Last year, some prestigious Delhi University colleges, such as St. Stephen’s College and Miranda House, saw vacant seats in certain courses, such as Sanskrit. In response, the university has made changes to several BA programs this year. Courses that consistently saw low admissions have been replaced with new, more demanding courses to better utilize seats.
Teachers’ organizations raised questions
Teachers’ organizations have also raised questions about this decision of Delhi University. Indian National Teachers Congress President Prof. Pankaj Garg said that if admissions are being allowed based on 12th grade marks, then this facility should not be limited to just two colleges. A similar and transparent system should be implemented in colleges where seats are vacant. He also said that this situation highlights the limitations of the CUET-based admission system and now there is a need to review the entire system. Another teachers’ organization also criticized this decision, saying that despite CUET and CSAS, if admissions are being conducted through different methods mid-session, it raises questions about the entire admission process.
