Delhi University (DU) colleges warmly welcomed their newest batch of undergraduate students on Wednesday with orientation programs, marking the official start of the 2024-25 academic year. The first-year students embarked on their college journey, experiencing a blend of excitement and apprehension as they entered a new phase of their academic life.
To help ease the transition and foster a sense of belonging, colleges across DU organized orientation programs designed to introduce students to the campus environment and its vibrant culture. These programs served as a platform for students to connect with fellow classmates, meet college officials, and learn about the various resources available to them.
DU has successfully enrolled nearly 68,000 students for the current academic year across 1,559 undergraduate programs offered by 69 colleges and departments. This achievement follows two rounds of admissions, showcasing the university’s commitment to providing accessible and diverse educational opportunities.
In a bid to maximize seat utilization, DU extended admission offers to 90,644 candidates – a number exceeding the sanctioned capacity of 71,600 seats by nearly 19,000. This proactive approach ensures that all available seats are filled, maximizing educational access for aspiring students.
The admission process remains ongoing, with a third round scheduled to admit students through performance-based programs and supernumerary quotas. These quotas include special provisions for children/widows of armed forces personnel (CW), extra-curricular activities (ECA) and sports, highlighting DU’s dedication to inclusivity and recognizing diverse talents. The schedule for this round will be announced shortly.
This year, a notable 27,554 candidates were fortunate enough to secure their preferred college and course combination, aligning with their higher preferences. This reflects the university’s efforts to match students with their desired programs and institutions.
However, the admission process faced some challenges this year due to a delay in the announcement of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) results, which were postponed amid allegations of irregularities. This delay disrupted the original academic calendar, with the session initially scheduled to begin on August 1.
Several student organizations and teacher associations expressed concerns regarding the delay, highlighting its impact on students’ vacation time and placing an added burden on teachers to complete the syllabus within a shorter timeframe. These concerns emphasize the importance of timely academic scheduling for a smooth and effective learning experience.
