Delhi University’s undergraduate admission system has largely revolved around one rule since the introduction of CUET: appear for CUET, register on DU’s Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS), and compete for seats based on your entrance-test score.
But in the 2026 admission cycle, two DU colleges — Aditi Mahavidyalaya and Bhagini Nivedita College — have been permitted to admit students based on their Class 12 board examination marks, creating an unusual exception to the university’s centralised admission process.
The decision has triggered questions around vacant seats, fairness and whether a completely centralised system works equally well for every DU college.
What Has Happened?
Delhi University has allowed Aditi Mahavidyalaya and Bhagini Nivedita College, both off-campus women’s colleges, to consider Class 12 marks for filling undergraduate seats.
The move reportedly came amid concerns that a significant number of seats at these institutions could remain vacant under the regular CUET-CSAS admission process.
This is significant because DU’s official Bulletin of Information for the 2026-27 academic session states that admissions to undergraduate programmes are based on CUET UG 2026 scores, with specified exceptions such as the School of Open Learning, NCWEB and foreign-national admissions.
Why Did DU Make This Exception?
One of the biggest challenges with a centralised allocation system is that students don't choose colleges equally.
During CSAS, applicants rank their preferred combinations of colleges and courses. Highly sought-after colleges and programmes naturally receive far greater demand, while some colleges further away from DU’s main campuses may struggle to fill their sanctioned seats.
Aditi Mahavidyalaya and Bhagini Nivedita College are among the institutions facing concerns around unfilled seats, according to reports. Allowing board-based admissions appears to be an attempt to ensure that available seats don't remain unused simply because students did not receive or select them through the regular allocation process.
But Isn't DU Admission Supposed to Be Through CUET?
For most regular undergraduate admissions, yes.
DU’s official 2026 admission bulletin says that CUET UG 2026 scores are the basis for undergraduate admission, and only the relevant CUET subject combinations are considered when determining programme eligibility and allocation.
Students then participate in the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS), where college-course preferences and CUET performance determine allocations across different rounds.
DU's admission process also includes multiple regular and spot rounds to deal with seats that remain vacant after earlier allocations.
That is why introducing Class 12 merit for selected colleges during the same admission cycle has attracted attention.
Why Are Some Teachers Raising Concerns?
Critics argue that allowing a separate board-marks route can effectively create two admission systems within the same university.
For example, one student competing for admission to a DU college may have:
Route 1:
Class 12 → CUET → CSAS registration → Preference list → Seat allocation
While another student could potentially enter one of the selected colleges through:
Route 2:
Class 12 board marks → College-level admission
A section of DU teachers has argued that such an arrangement could weaken the principle of a uniform admission system and raise questions about whether applicants received equal opportunities to compete for seats.
The Bigger Problem: Vacant Seats in a Centralised System
The controversy highlights a broader issue with university admissions.
A centralised system can make admissions more structured and transparent, but student demand is not evenly distributed across colleges.
A student might prefer:
a more popular DU college,
a particular campus location,
a different course,
another university altogether,
rather than accepting a seat simply because one is available.
As a result, a university can simultaneously have intense competition for some college-course combinations and vacant seats elsewhere.
The exception given to these two colleges suggests that simply having available seats in CSAS does not necessarily mean students will choose them.
What Does This Mean for DU Aspirants?
Students should not interpret this development as DU bringing back Class 12 cut-offs across the university.
For the wider DU undergraduate admission process in 2026-27, CUET and CSAS remain the primary route.
The board-based admission route currently concerns specific colleges and circumstances related to filling vacant seats.
If you're still looking for admission, continue monitoring:
Your CSAS dashboard
DU's official admission portal
Upgrade and allocation rounds
Spot admission announcements
College-specific vacancy notices
Don't rely solely on WhatsApp forwards or unofficial social-media posts for admission decisions.
Should You Take a Seat Just Because It's Available?
Not necessarily.
A vacant DU seat can sound attractive, especially if you've been waiting through several allocation rounds. But before accepting any college-course combination, look beyond the “DU tag.”
Ask questions like:
How is the faculty for your particular course?
What are internships and placements actually like?
How long will your daily commute be?
What societies and extracurricular opportunities exist?
How active is the campus?
What do current students think about the college?
Would another university or course fit your career plans better?
A seat being available and a seat being right for you are two very different things.
Talk to Someone Who Actually Studies There
Admission portals can tell you whether you got a seat.
They can't always tell you what your next three years will actually look like.
Before choosing Freeze, Upgrade, a spot-round seat or a college you haven't researched properly, connect with current DU students and alumni on InsideEdge.
Ask them directly about the college, faculty, placements, commute, societies, campus culture or anything else you're confused about.
Because your preference list shouldn't be based only on cut-offs and rankings.
Find an Insider. Ask anything.