Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Delhi University Expands Class 12-Based Admissions For Vacant Seats
Delhi University usually uses CUET scores to admit undergraduate students.
The university then assigns seats through its Common Seat Allocation System.
Some seats are still empty in certain colleges and courses.
These colleges can now choose students using their Class 12 marks.
This is only allowed for the programmes named in the notice.
Students must also meet each course’s eligibility rules.
Shyam Lal, Rajdhani, and Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening) gave specific application deadlines.
Other colleges, including Aditi Mahavidyalaya and Bhagini Nivedita College, were also named in the broader list.
The change gives some students another way to seek admission, but it does not end CUET-based admissions across DU.
Delhi University has permitted selected colleges to fill vacant undergraduate seats using Class 12 marks instead of CUET scores.
The reported colleges include Kalindi, P.G.D.A.V. (Evening), Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening), Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, Lakshmibai, Vivekanand, Rajdhani, Shyam Lal, Shyama Prasad Mukherji, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, and Bhagini Nivedita.
Courses include selected humanities, science, commerce, journalism, social work, and BA Programme combinations.
Shyam Lal, Rajdhani, and Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening) provided detailed application and verification schedules in the notice.
The exception applies only to listed programmes, eligible candidates who have not already joined a DU college, and seats left vacant after the regular CUET-based process.
- Who
- The University of Delhi, participating colleges, and eligible students seeking undergraduate admission.
- What
- Selected colleges may fill specified vacant undergraduate seats using Class 12 marks and college-level merit instead of CUET scores.
- When
- The reported admission schedules run from August 19 through August 29; the broader notice concerns the 2026-27 academic session.
- Where
- Participating University of Delhi colleges, including Shyam Lal College, Rajdhani College, and Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening).
- Why
- Vacant seats remained after the regular CUET-UG and Common Seat Allocation System admission process.
CUET-Based Central Admissions
Class 12-Based College Admissions
Purpose of the system
CUET-Based Central Admissions
CUET was introduced to provide a common admissions basis for students from different school boards and replace college-wise cut-offs.
Class 12-Based College Admissions
Supporters of the temporary merit route can use students’ existing Class 12 results to fill seats that remained vacant after CUET-based admissions.
Assessment of the current situation
CUET-Based Central Admissions
The entrance-test and CSAS process remains Delhi University’s regular undergraduate admissions system.
Class 12-Based College Admissions
A reported DU Teachers group comment characterized the vacant seats and fallback process as evidence of a collective failure in implementing CUET and CSAS admissions.
Scope of the change
CUET-Based Central Admissions
The university has not reverted all undergraduate programmes to Class 12-based admission; CUET remains the normal route.
Class 12-Based College Admissions
Selected colleges may directly admit eligible students on merit for specified courses with remaining vacancies.
- Admission basis
- Class 12 board examination marks, subject to programme eligibility and merit.
- Regular DU route
- CUET-UG scores followed by allocation through the Common Seat Allocation System.
- Reported colleges
- The notice lists Kalindi College, P.G.D.A.V. (Evening), Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening), Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, Lakshmibai College, Vivekanand College, Rajdhani College, Shyam Lal College, Shyama Prasad Mukherji College for Women, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, and Bhagini Nivedita College.
- Shyam Lal College courses
- BSc Physical Science with Chemistry, BSc Physical Science with Electronics, and BA (Hons) Hindi.
- Rajdhani College courses
- BA (Hons) Sanskrit, BSc (Hons) Physics, BSc Physical Science with Chemistry, BSc Applied Physical Science with Industrial Chemistry, and BA Programme with Sanskrit and History.
- Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening) courses
- BA (Hons) Persian, BA (Hons) Sanskrit, BA (Hons) Urdu, and BA Programme combinations involving Arabic, Bengali, Persian, Sanskrit, or Urdu with History or Political Science.
- Eligibility restriction
- The route is limited to listed courses and colleges, and to candidates who have not already taken admission at a Delhi University college.
