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The Age of Automated Academia

By DU Beat May 15, 2026

Instagram has a new trend of “AI dissertations,” where students claim to proudly generate entire research projects using AI tools, questioning the absence of integrity, critical thinking, and originality in present-day academia.

“Hey Chatbot, how do we write a dissertation? What should I include so that it looks AI-free? Can you write it for me?” Sounds ridiculous, right? Yet this was the exact scenario that came to my mind when I came across Instagram posts claiming, “Guys, this is how I wrote my dissertation using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude.”

Satire aside, a genuine question emerges: a course that was designed to foster purely research-oriented discourse now appears to be deeply permeated by AI. Has it, in some sense, begun to lose its very essence? A more plausible narrative could have been, “Here’s how I used AI to enhance my research for my dissertation.” However, the shift toward complete reliance on AI to carry out the work itself feels deeply problematic.

But what does this situation actually signal? While exploring this issue further, I came across a research paper suggesting that students who lacked early access to AI tools in their academic journey were, interestingly, the ones who later relied on them the most. Why does this happen? The study pointed out that it was not fear or lack of capability; rather, AI appeared almost “magical” to them. Its promptness, speed, and range of outputs became the primary factors that drew them in.

This reframes the problem. The issue is not simply why students rely heavily on AI, but rather what institutions can do to establish clear boundaries and frameworks for its appropriate use.

Several articles addressing this concern highlight the absence of well-defined standards and policies to guide students. While modern scholarship continues to emphasize individual authorship and original research, it must also evolve alongside the inevitable integration of AI. The dominant concern now is that students who rely heavily on AI are not being assessed at a level that truly reflects their understanding. Many incorporate AI-generated concepts and ideas directly into their work, which undermines the traditional process of learning through trial and error. In such cases, students often grasp terminology rather than the underlying concepts.

A more effective approach to assessment, therefore, could involve shifting the focus back to the student’s reasoning. For instance, asking questions such as: Why did you choose this particular method? What alternatives were available? This would relocate the burden of critical thinking from the AI tool back to the student, encouraging deeper engagement with their own research process.

So, what can be the way forward? While it is both expected and necessary for students to understand the true essence of research and adhere to it ethically, it is equally important for institutions to acknowledge that AI is inevitable and will continue to penetrate academic spaces with increasing frequency. Rather than resisting this shift, the focus should be on developing clear policies and guidelines that not only reinforce the fundamental principles of how research ought to be conducted, but also equip students with an awareness of the limitations of AI. More importantly, institutions must guide students on how AI can be used as a tool to enhance their research, rather than allowing it to completely overtake the process.

In doing so, the goal should not be to eliminate AI from academia, but to integrate it in a manner that preserves critical thinking, originality, and intellectual accountability.

Image Credits: Screenshot from Instagram User @fragrance______

Rahul Kumar

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Datesheet dilemma finally ends; Last date to fill the examination form passes.

By DU Beat May 8, 2026

After many drafts and meetings the final date sheet was uploaded, changing the examination dates for Semester 6th and 8th students. This comes after the final date for filling the examination form with late fee passed on the 7th of May.

On 7th May, between 7:18PM and 7:25PM, the examination date sheet got updated by Delhi University, changing the exam dates for Semester 6 and 8 students. This change came a few hours before the last time students of regular, NCWEB (Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board), and SOL (School of Open Learning) could fill up the examination form with late fees.

The final date sheet has preponed the exams for 6th and 8th semester. Exams will now take place earlier. As an example, previously DSE exams for semester 8 were to be conducted on 18th May, 15th, 17th and 18th of June respectively but now it will be conducted on the 18th and 20th May, and 7th and 14th June,2026. Similarly, many semester 6 exams are now pre-poned to end by the 4th of June.

Many final semester students had complained about the month-long gap between exams and wished for their exams to get concluded timely without huge gaps due to job opportunities and admission deadlines. Rahul Jhansla, Vice President of DUSU, had submitted a written application to the Dean of Student Welfare regarding the DU examination date sheet for the aforementioned reasons.

According to Rahul Jhansla, the DU administration had kept the initial gap in consideration for the UPSC prelims; however, they later stated that they would speak to the Controller of Examinations to reduce the gap in the later period.

The examination notice released on 4th May further announced that students currently in their 6th semester could opt for exiting in the SLC portal in June or July, instead of choosing to pursue the additional 4th Year added by the NEP 2020.

Students are advised to check their admit cards for the May-June 2026 examination, which is live on the SLC portal. Many students have also reported that their admit cards show ‘EXTCR” on the column ‘paper type’ causing further confusion. However, they have been informed by teachers that it will not be an issue if it continues to show even after the correction.

Even though the final date sheet has now been released, many students have expressed frustration at the constantly changing date sheet since it disrupts plans for studying and travelling back home. It also highlights poor planning and lack of communication on the University’s behalf as many students continue to question whether or not this shall be the final timetable, despite the official notice.

Image Source: Delhi University’s Examination Website

Reva Rawat

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Campus Central

Delhi University Probes St. Stephen’s College Over Hiring Violations, Takes Several Key Decisions

By DU Beat May 2, 2026

Delhi University’s Executive Council set up a probe into St. Stephen’s College for violating faculty recruitment rules, while also approving SWAYAM credits, BA restructuring, a semester abroad programme, and a ₹174-crore infrastructure project.

Delhi University’s Executive Council (EC), chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh, held a significant meeting on Wednesday where a range of academic and other administrative matters the most notable being allegations of recruitment norm violations at St. Stephen’s College were discussed.

The Executive Council took serious cognisance of the alleged violation of shortlisting criteria by St. Stephen’s College during the direct recruitment of assistant professors across various disciplines.

Members in the meeting pointed out that the college had been following a criterion of shortlisting 70 candidates for each unreserved vacancy. However, the Academic Council and Executive Council of Delhi University had already approved a standard fixed norm of 40 candidates for the first vacancy and 20 candidates for each subsequent vacancy.

As a result, the Council decided to restrain the college from issuing appointment letters to the recommended candidates. The decision was formally communicated to the Principal of St. Stephen’s College by the Registrar of Delhi University through an official letter.

The committee constituted by the EC to investigate the issue will be chaired by Prof. Inder Mohan Kapahi, a Chancellor’s nominee in the Executive Council. Other members include EC members Aman Kumar, Dr. Monica Arora, and Dr. L.S. Chaudhary. The Joint Registrar (Colleges) has been appointed as the Member Secretary of the committee.

This is not the first time St. Stephen’s, one of DU’s most prestigious colleges has been under the spotlight over governance and administration mismatch with the university.

In another key decision, the Executive Council approved a proposal to allow students to earn up to 5 percent of their total academic credits through online courses offered on SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) and other approved MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) platforms. Under the scheme, students in four-year undergraduate programmes can earn up to 8 credits, while those in two-year postgraduate courses can earn up to 4 credits.

It is also important to note that UGC regulations from 2016 had originally permitted students to earn up to 20 percent of their credits through SWAYAM. The framework was adopted by the university in 2019, but a suggestion in 2025 to re-examine the matter led to the formation of a committee, whose recommendations have now been implemented.

However, everyone did not agree. Some Executive Council members submitted a dissent note, arguing that these regulations, in the name of “choice” and “flexibility,” take away the important role of teachers and universities.

The EC also backed BA Programme restructuring for the 2026–27 session, allowing colleges to re-examine low-demand subjects without introducing or discontinuing programmes. Colleges can also group certain subjects under a single programme combination but cannot change their total approved intake capacity.

Delhi University also constituted a committee to examine the proposal for launching “Semester Away Programme” (SAP) in collaboration with foreign higher education institutions. This committee, chaired by DU Dean Prof. Balram Pani, will submit its report after consulting relevant stakeholders. Under the SAP, students may complete one semester of their degree at a foreign university.

The Executive Council also approved the construction of a new building for the Institute of Nano Medical Sciences at Maurice Nagar at a cost of Rs 174.20 crore. The detailed project report will be prepared by the Central Public Works Department.

The council also cleared the establishment of a Centre for Advanced Studies in Buddhist Studies, with the first phase already approved under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram scheme.

The EC meeting reflects an active and hectic period for Delhi University as it tries to balance academic reforms, infrastructure expansion, and governance challenges with the St. Stephen’s issue likely to remain a contentious matter in the weeks ahead.

Arshia Sharma

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Image Source – Telegraph India

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Hansraj College suspends over 30 students due to alleged indiscipline, violence, and defamation

By DU Beat April 26, 2026

Hansraj College administration has gone on a spree of suspending multiple students to allegedly silence their voices and prevent future protests, taking any form of online criticism as “defamation” and participation in protests as “indiscipline”.

The administration of Hansraj College, University of Delhi, has issued orders of suspension for multiple students across departments and years on the grounds of alleged violence, indiscipline, defamation, and misconduct. Among those suspended include the former Students Union President, Parth Srivastava, as well as the current Students Union.

In the past week, Hansraj College has issued 5 orders of suspensions for nearly 30 students

The series of suspensions released by the college administration from 21st April onwards has been issued to nearly 30 students, with the first order released against Mr. Parth Srivastava on grounds of “acts of indiscipline, including defamation of the institution and use of derogatory language against Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff.” The notice further read that Mr. Srivastava was allowed “multiple opportunities to appear before the Committee along with his parents which he failed to attend” in light of which he shall not be permitted to enter the college campus nor participate in any academic or related activities.

The second list of suspensions were issued to nearly 14 students in light of the chaos that ensued at Hansraj College annual fest, Confluence 2026. The notice alleges “violence, misconduct, and breach of discipline” by the list of students and pronounces the suspension as interim.

Suspension order issued to students in light of the violence during Hansraj’s annual fest

Following this, the college issued an additional order of suspension for 4 students alleging ” physical violence, misconduct, and breach of discipline” in light of incidents on 15th April. On 23rd April, the college released a follow-up list suspending nearly 7 students for “acts of defaming the College through social media platforms and engaging in activities that have adversely affected the academic
environment of the institution.”

A student facing suspension, in a conversation with the Editorial Team of DU Beat, said,

“The administration did not inform us of our suspension either by mail or a show cause notice. We found out that we were suspended from a notice circulated in college. The suspension seems intentional considering most of the suspended students were probable candidates for the upcoming election, especially those with 70% and above attendance. The administration justifies the suspension on grounds of public defamation of the college on social media, which seems to be nothing but a hindrance of our democratic rights”.

He however clarified that students were not targeted by their political affiliations as common misinformation is alleging. He added that students across parties like SFI and ABVP had been suspended, however, the protests by ABVP led to the setting up of an emergency committee for inquiry.

The final list of suspended students released on 25th April include the current Students Union members of Hansraj College. The notice prohibits their entrance on college premises but allows their appearance for all examinations and internal assessments.

Abhijit Singh, the President of Hansraj Students’ Union, in an exclusive interview with DU Beat, prior to his suspension said,

These suspensions are intentional and are aimed towards curtailing the democratic rights of the students. Most of the suspended students were probable candidates for the upcoming Union election, and the administration’s suspension was a move to prevent them from being elected and continue the voice of dissent for the students’ rights. Many more students were more actively involved in the protests; however, they have not been suspended as they were not probable candidates for the election.”

He adds,

The administration said that a committee was set up to select the students for suspension; however, no such notice was sent to either the Union or the suspended students, and the orders of suspension were directly rolled out.”

However, Singh declared that a show-cause notice had been issued to the officer bearers of the Students Union which led to him believing that they too would be suspended, which took place within the upcoming days.

Suspension notice issued to the office bearers of the Students Union

This series of unrest among the student body and dwindling trust between the college authorities and students can be traced back to February 2026, when campus infrastructure was used for the wedding of the principal’s son. This use of public resources for a private event became the starting point for a long series of events that continued to generate unrests amongst the student body. The second wave of controversy was sparked by allegations of NIRF data manipulation. Parth Srivastava, a student from Hansraj, filed an RTI for the same. As Hansraj’s annual college fest, Confluence 2026, approached, further chaos erupted, as strict regulations, including a restriction on inviting external artists and an early conclusion of the fest were imposed sparking an outrage that involved 20 hours of overnight protest demanding that the administration uphold its previous commitments. Eventually, the administration gave in, however, on Day 2 of the fest, poor crowd management led to physical violence, harassment, and uncontrolled chaos which led to police intervention.

After the fest, the administration took action and issued these series of suspensions that has left the student body of Hansraj College bewildered and in fear. In a conversation with a student from Hansraj she says,

If actions of alleged physical violence and online “defamation” are given the same degree of punishment by the college authorities then the future of student democracy and freedom of expression within the campus is in question. This process of protests and followed suspensions has become cyclical as students are constantly threatened with suspension and no internal marks if they participate in such protests.

Image Credits: Hansraj College Website

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Changes to the BA Programme Course? Delhi University Executive Council to Meet on 30th April

By DU Beat April 24, 2026

Delhi University Executive Council to vote on April 30 regarding BA Programme restructuring that could quietly push India’s minority languages off campus.

Delhi University Executive Council (EC) is meeting on April 30 to decide the future of the BA Programme (BAP). The changes, if approved, will come into effect from the academic session 2026–27.

The proposal follows recommendations made by DU’s Academic Council on April 15, and was prepared by a committee that includes key university officials such as the Dean of Colleges, Registrar, Dean of Admissions, and principals of colleges like Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, Miranda House, and Daulat Ram College.

In respect of the restructuring, Delhi University colleges have been asked to look at BA Programme combinations where student demand is low or seats remain empty, and consider merging certain disciplines into broader combinations. For example, languages like Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Bengali, and Telugu may be offered as a single BA Programme combination with just one other subject. Similarly, subjects like Social Work or Sociology may be paired with more popular disciplines.

Suggested changes in the document include replacement of courses like OMSP (Office Management and Secretarial Practice) by plain Commerce as a discipline. Subjects like Food Technology and Human Development and Family Empowerment (HDFE) may similarly be merged under a broader Community Science category.

Importantly, the document suggests that no new programmes will be introduced and no existing programmes will be discontinued. Colleges will also not be allowed to change their total sanctioned intake capacity, though they may increase seats within an existing programme if they have enough faculty and infrastructure.

These recommendations came out of a series of meetings held with multiple college principals at the Vice Regal Lodge earlier this year. The Executive Council took this decision to cure the problem of many empty seats in specific BA Programme combinations where there wasn’t even one applicant for every two seats.

A presentation made before college principals showed that while commerce courses had over 110% seat utilisation, language courses had the lowest fill rate, just 81.22%. This is where teachers and elected council members raised loud objections about combinations involving Indian languages like Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, and Urdu being unfairly targeted even though these courses already have very few seats to begin with.

Tamil professor Uma Devi pointed out that the real crisis is a shortage of teachers, not a shortage of students. Across DU, there are only two permanent Tamil teachers in colleges, three in the department, and only one teacher each for Kannada, Malayalam, and Marathi. “Whenever a teacher retires, the university simply does not recruit a new one,” she said.

Imtiaz Ahmad, a faculty member in DU’s Department of Urdu, described the situation bluntly:

Urdu was offered in many colleges earlier. It did not shut down overnight. It was closed one by one, over a long period. Today, it is available in only about nine colleges.”

The Executive Council meeting isn’t only about BAP. The council is also set to consider infrastructure proposals worth hundreds of crores, including ₹174.20 crore for a new building for the Institute of Nano Medical Sciences at Maurice Nagar, and a revised estimate of ₹233.35 crore for studio apartments at Dhaka Complex, partly funded through a HEFA loan.

Separately, DU’s Academic Council has already approved one-year postgraduate programmes and a new Semester Away Program (SAP) that would let DU students spend a semester at foreign universities in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. If the Executive Council approves the BAP restructuring on April 30, the changes will be put in place from the 2026–27 academic session which means students applying this year through CUET-UG could be the first batch to experience the new structure.

On one side, the university says it is simply making the programme more efficient. On the other, teachers and students warn that what looks like an administrative fix could quietly erode decades of language teaching and cultural diversity from one of India’s oldest universities.

As EC member Mithuraaj Dhusiya’s dissent note put it: “When languages disappear, cultures disappear.”

Image Credits: Devansh for DU Beat

Arshia Sharma

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Vice Chancellor Internship Scheme Released for Summer 2026

By DU Beat April 23, 2026

Out of 7,000 applicants last year, only around 100 were selected for the Vice Chancellor Internship Scheme. This internship offers students a chance to work closely with the major departments at the University of Delhi.

The Vice Chancellor Internship Scheme (VCIS) for students of University of Delhi was recently announced for the Summer of the upcoming 2026-27 academic year. Under the leadership of the current Vice Chancellor, Yogesh Singh, this scheme hires nearly a hundred interns across all courses to work with university administration.

The programme is open to “all regular bonafide students of University of Delhi” currently enrolled in any course across the university, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria. Applicants are required to submit a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) signed and stamped by the college authorities on or after 13th April. Final-year students appearing for end-semester examinations are not considered eligible for the scheme. Further, students can only avail of this opportunity once during their time at the university.

Official Internship Application Call for VCIS

The internship is offered in two formats: a regular part-time internship during the academic session and a summer internship during the June to July break. Interns are expected to commit approximately 15–20 hours per week. The scheme is paid, with regular interns receiving ₹5,000 per month, while summer interns will receive ₹11,576 this year. The stipend is subject to an annual increment of 5 percent.

The selection process has been highly competitive over the years. In the previous year, over 7,000 students applied, out of which around 100 were selected and placed across various university offices and departments. These include the Vice Chancellor’s Office, Pro Vice Chancellor’s Office, Deans’ Offices, School of Open Learning (SOL), Department Labs, Equal Opportunity Cell, and the Examination Department. For the current cycle (as of 22 April 2026), approximately 2,000 students were shortlisted and invited for the next stage of selection. These shortlisted candidates were called to the Multipurpose Hall at the DU Sports Complex over four days, from 13 to 16 April, for a General Discussion.

Applications to the scheme remain valid for six months, allowing flexibility in consideration for different internship cycles. The primary objective of VCIS is to equip students with administrative, organizational, and professional skills by exposing them to the internal functioning of a large public university. Interns are meant to gain insight into governance, policy implementation, and institutional processes, which can be beneficial for careers in public administration, academia, and related fields.

Upon successful completion, interns are awarded an official experience letter, enhancing professional profiles. The scheme serves as a sort of internal engagement system, meant to make university administration familiar.

Currently, the Vice Chancellor Internship Scheme for the Summer of 2026 is open for the two month period of June to July with the final application date as 27th of April.

Image Credits: Dean Students’ Welfare Official Website

Anjali Paruvvu

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Delhi University Pushes One-Year PG Reform as Faculty Dissent Erupts Over Academic Impact and Curtailed Debate

By DU Beat April 22, 2026

Delhi University approves one-year PG courses, SWAYAM credit integration, and global semester exchange, but faculty dissent highlights concerns over academic impact, accessibility, and curtailed deliberative processes within the Academic Council.

The Academic Council of Delhi University approved the introduction of one-year postgraduate programmes in several departments; these courses will be integrated with the Postgraduate Curriculum Framework 2024 following the National Education Policy 2020.

The council also sanctioned guidelines which authorise students to earn up to 5% of their total credits through courses offered on SWAYAM and other MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platforms. The guidelines generated criticisms:

The decision to proceed in a manner that curtailed debate and foreclosed meaningful engagement with dissenting views reflects a disregard for established democratic norms and collective decision-making,”

the note stated, as cited by PTI.

Monami Sinha, an elected Academic Council member, commented on the proceedings of the council by stating, ‘We were dissenting, and the meeting was abruptly ended.’ We have no clarity on what decision was finally taken.”

Registrar Vikas Gupta further added that the proposal had been passed and would be placed before the Executive Council of Delhi University and stated,

Teachers have dissented against the proposal. However, we are only suggesting introducing 5 per cent of total credits through the courses, and we should encourage students to learn from all types of portals that can contribute to their education.”

The Council also approved a proposal to introduce a ‘Semester Away Programme’ in ties with some foreign higher education institutions that remain undisclosed at the moment. The initiative will allow students to complete one semester abroad with adequate credits according to their respective degrees.

Additionally, the vice-chancellor directed departments to compile a list of the top 20 journals in their respective fields within 30 days.

He stated that departments should establish specific criteria for these journals and assign a point system to them. Based on this evaluation, a priority list of journals is to be prepared by assigning scores accordingly,”

a press statement issued after the meeting said, according to PTI.

Self-learning study material for School of Open Learning courses in line with the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework 2022 was also approved. Additionally, programmes including the Master of Journalism and Mass Communication at the Delhi School of Journalism, MSc Mathematics, and the second-semester curriculum for MA Hindi Journalism were cleared, along with courses in computer science and other subjects.

Image Credits: Devesh by DU Beat

Divyanshi Dusad

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Delhi University Releases Updated Tentative Datesheet; Examinations to Start from 16th May

By DU Beat April 16, 2026

Post multiple concerns raised by students and faculty, Delhi University released an updated tentative datesheet with examinations beginning from the 16th of May till mid-June.

On 16th April 2026, Delhi University released their updated tentative datesheet for the May-June 2026 Examinations with the date for examinations for the even semester starting from the 16th of May as specified initially in the DU Calendar for 2025-26.

This change in the timetable comes after repeated concerns raised by students with respect to the previously updated tentative date sheet shared by the University where examinations were set to begin from the 1st week of June for a majority of Honours courses across semesters. The non-adherence to the initially released DU Calendar for 2025-26, wherein holidays to begin from the 1st of June had been pushed to end of June in lieu of the released examination schedule, became a crucial point of contention amongst students. However, with the newly released tentative datesheet, a majority of students from the Honours course shall be able to avail their semester break from the second week of June itself.

According to the updated tentative datesheet, B.A. (Honours) and B.Sc (Honours) courses for Core Papers are to begin from 16th May for Semester VIII, 19th May for Semester VI, 28th May for Semester II, and 30th May for Semester IV. Ability Enhancement Courses are set to begin from the 11th of June till the 12th of June across Semester II and IV with Skill Enhancement Courses being conducted on 16th May for Semester VI, 26th May for Semester IV and 29th May for Semester II. General Elective papers across all disciplines shall be examined between 26th May to 10th June.

The updated timetable stands tentative and the University of Delhi has requested all discrepancies in the schedule to be sent across to their official email ID by the 21st of April, 5PM.

Image Credits: University of Delhi Website

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Jat Mahotsav Observed at Delhi University Amid Festivity and Debate

By DU Beat April 14, 2026

Publicity drive, guest appearance, and celebratory gathering marks International Jat Mahotsav at Delhi University, while raising questions on caste assertion in campus spaces

The observance of International Jat Day at the University of Delhi took the form of a Jat Mahotsav organised by the Delhi University Jat Students on 13 April 2026 at Vande Mataram Hall. The gathering began in the late morning with students assembling at the venue to mark the day as a celebration of community identity and historical memory. Posters described the programme as “Antarrashtriya Jat Diwas,” positioning the event as both commemorative and cultural.

Publicity for the Mahotsav was visible across the North Campus. Digital posters circulated on social media announced the schedule, while a large roadside hoarding near the Arts Faculty displayed images of historical figures alongside the event details. The promotional material highlighted the presence of social media personality Amanraj Gill as the special guest, along with Olympic Medalist Mr. Ravi Dahiya which appeared to be a key draw for student turnout.

No formal announcement indicated institutional involvement of the Delhi University Students’ Union, though individual student leaders and attendees were present in a personal capacity. The absence of an official endorsement contrasted with the scale of publicity, suggesting the event functioned primarily as a community-led initiative rather than a union-backed programme.

The celebration included music played at the venue, informal interaction with attendees, and the distribution of sweets among students to mark the occasion. As part of the cultural contributions, students brought 30 kgs of Desi Ghee, 40 kgs of gud or jaggery and 150 kgs of Churma. Participants gathered in small groups, took photographs, and shared greetings, giving the event the atmosphere of a festive campus observance.

At the same time, the Mahotsav raised questions about caste-based celebrations within the university spaces. While supporters described it as cultural pride and representation, others debated whether explicit caste assertion aligns with the inclusive ethos of a public university. The observance thus combined festivity with a broader conversation on identity, visibility, and the place of caste in campus life.

Featured Image Source – DU Beat

Madhav Choudhary

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Admission Season

CUET UG 2026 to Begin in May, Announces NTA

By DU Beat April 9, 2026

The NTA has announced that the CUET UG examination will commence in May. Additionally, provisions have been made for students facing mismatches in identity documents.

The Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduate programmes (CUET UG) 2026 exam is scheduled to be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) from 11 May 2026 to 31 May 2026. Following this exam, admissions to undergraduate programmes at Delhi University are also expected to begin shortly after. CUET–UG 2026 application forms were available between 3 January and 4 February, with a correction window open from 23 February to 26 February.

As in the past four years, the University will carry out the admission process through its Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS) portal, which operates in multiple phases, the first one being student registration. Students’ admission largely depends on CUET results. Once the results are declared, students can apply for courses and colleges they prefer and are eligible for, based on subject mapping.

The Dean of Admissions, Haneet Gandhi, stated that the CSAS portal is likely to open around the third week of May, which is also when the CUET examination will take place. While the final details are still being worked out, the University aims to complete admissions promptly this time so that classes can begin at the earliest. Efforts will also be made to shorten the allocation periods, even if it requires adjusting each round by a day or two. Students have also been advised to choose those CUET subjects that they have studied in Class 12, as at least 50 per cent similarity is required for subject mapping, which is an essential part of the admission process.

In recent years, faculty members have raised concerns about delays in the admission process, following DU’s adoption of the CUET-based admission system and its impact on the academic calendar. To address this, the University is already working to make the CSAS portal more user-friendly by adding prompts and guidance to help students avoid mistakes during the application process.

In its latest notice dated 7 April, the NTA has also introduced a special verification window from 7 April to 10 April 2026, for candidates facing issues such as mismatched photographs or identity documents. Candidates facing such discrepancies are required to verify their identity by submitting a signed and attested certificate along with a recent photograph, having it attested by their school/college principal or a Gazetted Officer, and uploading it to the NTA website by 10 April.

The CUET, in its current form, was introduced in March 2022 for the academic year of 2022-23. Implemented by the NTA, it aimed to create a level playing field for admissions across all central universities (not just Delhi University), reducing the high cut-offs and over-reliance on board examination marks. It was a key reform under the NEP 2020, which also allowed students to appear for a single common entrance exam, instead of multiple university-specific exams. CUET is one of India’s largest entrance examinations, with more than 14 lakh applicants this year.

Image Source: Devesh for DU Beat

Nasheta Zaidi

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