Delhi University cut-off list : "Nothing less than 95% for the rest there's always Sanskrit"

"DU’s first cut-off list remains too high, beyond the reach of thousands of students, who otherwise did considerably well in their board exams. Humanities closely follow Commerce and Science in Cut-off List. Ramjas College declare highest cut-off for commerce and humanities courses."

"Ramjas College of Delhi University has declared the highest academic cut-off at 99.25 percent for BCom (Honours), leaving behind Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) which has remained India’s top commerce college for last many years."

SRCC has declared a cut-off of 98 per cent for BCom (Honours) in the first list. Ramjas College has also put a cut-off of 98.5 percent for Economics (Honours) which is more than the cut-off declared by SRCC for the same course, which stands at 98.25. "While the cut-off remains high, this year, unlike the past three years, no college declared 100 percent cut-offs."

While the cut-off marks for BCom (Honours) is usually high ranging from 95 to 100 percent in top colleges that includes SRCC, Hansraj College, Hindu College, cut-off for BA (Honours) use to be relatively low. But this year’s admissions in humanities and BA (Pass) course in top college would also be very difficult for anyone who has secured less than 90 percent marks in their board exams. Ramjas College has announced a cut-off of 98 percent for entry into Political Science (Honours). Host of other colleges have announced a cut-off of more than 90 percent for humanities. Lady Sri Ram College has announced its cut-off for Psychology at 98.50 percent, English 98.25 percent.

Admissions will begin from June 30 for the academic session 2016-17. Around 2.5 lakh students have applied for applied for the 54,000 seats in 63 colleges affiliated to Delhi University.

Apart from Sanskrit (Honours) there is hardly any course where a student who has secured less than 90 percent can expect a seat, in any of the good colleges of the Delhi University. Entry into BA (Pass) which usually has lesser cut-off when compared to Honours (science, arts and commerce) courses has also become tough for students, as cut-off has considerably increased in this too. For example at Hansraj College the cut-off for BA (Pass) increased from 90 percent to 96 percent. Similarly at Kirori Mal College, where the minimum percentage of marks required has increased from 91 percent to 96.5 percent.

Shubhi Aggrawal, who secured 90 percent marks in her class 12 is disappointed but also relieved as she would get admission in Daulat Ram College though her acquired percentage does not match the cut-off of her desired college. “I wanted to enroll in BA programme and wanted to get into Gargi College but missed it by one percent. The cut-off of BA pass in Daulat Ram is 89.5 and Gargi 91 percent. But I am relieved that I will get a seat in good college of north campus”.

Those seeking a seat in science courses will have to face most stiff competition as cut-off declared even by not so well known colleges for science courses is ranging from 90 to 95 percent. For instance BSc Honours (Bio Medical Science) BSc Honours (Computer Science) has cut-off of more than 95 percent in most of the colleges. A lesser known college like Arya Bhatt also has more than 95 percent cut-off for most of the science course.

Priyesh, an applicant who has completed his schooling National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and has secured 85 percent marks says that he was expecting to get admission in some college in second or third list. “My school friend is doing BSc Computer Science from PG DAV College. I too expected to get a seat there. But the cut-off is 98 percent and even if they come up with second or third list then also it won’t go less than 90 percent . In this scenario I stand very little chance of getting admission anywhere. I am really disappointed," says Priyesh. "In last few years cut-offs for admission to under graduate courses in Delhi University has left the students and teachers baffled". "This year while no college has come up with a 100 percent cut-off, the fact that even in humanities courses a student is expected to get 95-98 percent marks which only speaks of the cut-throat completion that students have to face to get a seat in any of the DU college."