New Delhi: Delhi University Registrar Vikas Gupta has clarified the university’s decision to allow admissions based on Class 12 marks in select cases, saying that students who applied through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) have already received their preferred colleges and courses based on merit.
Explaining the admission process, Gupta said that CUET-based admissions give priority to students’ choices, where candidates select their preferred colleges and courses from a wide range of available options.
He added that allocations are made according to the marks secured by students in the entrance examination.
Speaking to ANI, he said, “When admission happens via CUET, we prioritise the student’s choice; they select their preferred college and course from a pool of around 1,500 options. Students make their own choices–some opt for colleges near the campus, while others choose those on the outskirts, such as Jesus and Mary, Maitreyi, Gargi, or Kamala Nehru. We prioritise the highest marks obtained in the exam. They receive their preferred college based on that ranking.”
Gupta further said that the admissions being considered based on Class 12 marks are separate from CUET admissions and will be restricted to courses and colleges where seats remain vacant.
He asserted, “As for the students admitted based on Class 12 marks, every student who applied via CUET has already received their preferred college and course based on merit; the Class 12-based admissions are a separate matter. The condition is simply that they can only seek admission to the specific courses and colleges where seats are currently available. However, admission is still based on merit; the colleges will invite applications and then finalise admissions according to merit and seat availability.”
Addressing the remaining vacancies, the DU Registrar said the university had completed nearly all admissions against its total undergraduate capacity, including allocations under various categories.
“We had around 71,000 seats, and approximately 70,500 admissions have already been completed. You might wonder why we are allowing further admissions when the gap is so small. The fact is, we have occasionally made excess allocations within colleges to ensure the academic session starts on time. Additionally, we have various supernumerary quotas–such as the CW (Armed Forces) quota, ECA, and sports categories. Taking all of this into account, we have reached a total of 70,512 admissions against a total capacity of around 71,439 seats,” he stated.
The clarification comes after Delhi University allowed 11 colleges to admit undergraduate students on the basis of Class 12 board examination marks instead of CUET scores to fill vacant seats in select programmes, according to a public notice issued by the university’s Admission Branch.
The notice titled “Undergraduate Admissions 2026-27 based on Class XII Marks (Not CUET)” lists Kalindi College, Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening), Lakshmibai College, RajdhCollege, Shyama Prasad Mukherji College for Women, P.G.D.A.V. (Evening), Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, Vivekanand College, Shyam Lal College, Aditi Mahavidyalaya and Bhagini Nivedita College.
The notice said, “Admissions in certain colleges have been started on the basis of merit of CLASS XII marks, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.”
It also put a restriction on students who have already secured admission through the university’s regular process.
“No candidate who has an admission in any college of the University shall be eligible to take admission on the basis of merit of Class XII marks,” the notice said, advising interested candidates to check the respective college websites for further information. (ANI)
