2026 marks another year of Delhi University colleges topping the list in Commerce, Humanities, and the Sciences.
Since 1998, the India Today Group has been conducting their annual Best Colleges Survey. The Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) has been named the best college for commerce courses in the country for the 16th consecutive year. This year, interestingly, also marks the college’s centenary of establishment. India Today attributes the changes on the SRCC campus mainly to the proper implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF). This, according to the report, includes the availability of interdisciplinary study, increasing encouragement for students to participate in research projects, policy studies and field-based investigations. SRCC has reportedly further strengthened its student research journal, Strides. Its Business Analyst Journal was also recently included in the Australian Business Deans Council’s 2025 Journal Quality List. An initiative planned by the college for the academic session 2026-27 includes a one-year programme with professional services firm EY, focused on artificial intelligence and its applications in industry.
Hindu College tops the list for being the best college in the categories of the arts and sciences. Their Public Policy in Action (PPIA) programme, established in 2025, is a leading undergraduate public policy lab, allowing students to simulate real-world policy and development issues. It was launched with support from the Indian Railway Finance Corporation and Hindustan Steelworks Construction Ltd.
In addition to that, the college has expanded its global engagement via its Office of International Programmes (OIP), which has allowed students to acquire seed funding for projects via representation at the Asian Undergraduate Summit. They have also secured partnerships with global universities such as Waseda University and the University of Warsaw.
Faculty members are leading research projects in areas such as food security, sustainable development, governance and regional development, funded by agencies such as the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). The college is also working to expand its skill development centres (SDCs), which will create innovative career pathways, specifically those in mushroom cultivation and plant tissue culture, as well as its flagship initiative, “Sustainable Perfumery: The Art of Crafting Fragrances & Nurturing Careers”.
Science students will continue to benefit from a growing ecosystem of specialised research facilities, such as the Materials Characterisation Lab, Polymer Research Lab, Drosophila Research Facility, Centre for Environmental Studies, Green Chemistry Networking Centre and Design and Innovation Lab. Further, the upcoming AI Training and Innovation Lab will allow students, regardless of discipline, opportunities to engage with AI, data analytics and other emerging digital technologies.
In the first 24 hours after Delhi University activated its CSAS phase 1 portal, 41,473 students registered for undergraduate admission for the 2026-27 academic session. The university is expected to fill approximately 71,600 seats this admission cycle.
Delhi University has started the Phase 1 of the undergraduate admissions under the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS UG-2026) for the academic year 2026-27 on 27th June 2026. According to officials, the portal has received over 41,473 unique registrations on the first day.
One of the most sought after universities in the country, it provides 71,600 UG seats across 73 programmes and 100 BA programme combinations in various streams of studies under different faculties, namely Arts, Applied Social Sciences & Humanities, Education, Interdisciplinary & Applied Sciences, Music, Commerce & Business Studies, Mathematical Sciences, Sciences and Social Sciences. For the academic year 2026-27, admission to all UG programmes of all the colleges of UoD will be done on the basis of Common University Entrance Test (Undergraduate) – 2026 (CUET-UG–2026) only. The eligibility criteria of specific programmes and procedures involving the admission process is specified in the Undergraduate Bulletin of Information–2026 (BoI(UG)-2026) available on the admission of the University (admission.uod.ac.in).
The CSAS-UG works in three stages. First you have to register; this is Phase 1. Then you have to fill in your preferences for programmes and colleges; this is Phase 2. Finally, you get to know which seat you have been allocated; this is Phase 3. You have to complete each stage to be able to go to the next one. Missing the registration deadline disqualifies a candidate from subsequent rounds. The university has stated that some Phase 2 and Phase 3 dates remain provisional and subject to confirmation via the admission portal.
Phase 1 of CSAS involves registering and providing academic information. Candidates also need to upload documents for verification. The first phase of the CSAS works with API Setu. API Setu is a central government platform that helps exchange data. The platform allows the university to verify candidate information, including CUET scores and academic records, directly from source databases rather than through manually uploaded certificates.
Phase 1 registration for the current cycle remains open, with the university directing candidates to its admission portal and registered email addresses for further communication regarding the schedule for Phase 2 and Phase 3. Seat allocation will be carried out based on CUET scores, programme-specific eligibility, reservation policies and the preferences filled by candidates.
The university has also announced that the new academic session will commence on July 21, provided the admission schedule progresses as planned.
A delegation from the University of Delhi, led by Assistant Professor Abhishek of the Department of History, visited Jammu & Kashmir in collaboration with the J&K Peace Foundation to engage with tribal communities in South Kashmir and to discuss potential collaborations in education, humanitarian outreach, and social awareness initiatives targeting marginalised populations.
A delegation from the University of Delhi undertook an academic and social outreach visit to Jammu & Kashmir over the past week, travelling across South Kashmir in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Peace Foundation (JKPF) to engage with tribal communities and explore avenues for sustained development in the region. The team was led by Assistant Professor Abhishek of the Department of History, South Campus, University of Delhi, and comprised a group of students, bringing together academic inquiry and ground-level realities. The delegation was received at the Foundation’s office in Anantnag by Office Coordinator Murataza Bashir and Office Secretary Asma Jain, both of whom accompanied the group throughout the visit.
During the Delhi University delegation’s visit to Jammu & Kashmir, the team travelled through tribal areas in South Kashmir where communities continue to face significant socio-economic challenges. Members of the visiting team interacted closely with residents, gaining firsthand insight into the difficulties shaping the communities’ everyday lives. The cohort subsequently met with senior figures from the Foundation, including M Ramzan Mir, General Secretary of the JKPF, and Bilal Deva, National Executive Member. Discussions were held on potential collaborations spanning educational outreach, humanitarian programmes, and social awareness initiatives for marginalised and tribal populations.
The Delhi University delegation’s visit to Jammu & Kashmir marked “a significant step towards fostering academic-community partnerships and nurturing a spirit of social responsibility among youth”, the Foundation said. This sentiment was echoed by the delegation.
Established in 1992 and inspired by the vision of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the J&K Peace Foundation is a non-governmental, non-political organisation led by Chairperson Mr Fayaz Ahmad Bhat. Operating across education, healthcare, skill development, women’s empowerment, and emergency relief, the JKPF has earned national and international recognition for its commitment to communal harmony, social justice, and peacebuilding across Jammu & Kashmir and beyond.
Kamla Nehru College has been recognised as the first ‘Zero-Waste Institution’ under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, marking an important step toward sustainable campus practices.
The college’s programme, titled Awareness on Zero-Waste Management Practices, began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by an address from the Principal, Prof. Pavitra Bhardwaj. Addressing the gathering, she reflected on KNC’s journey since its establishment in 1964 and stated that the college remained committed to maintaining an eco-friendly campus. She also highlighted the role of the college’s Solid Liquid Resource Management (SLRM) Committee, which works in collaboration with the MCD to facilitate sustainable waste management practices.
The programme was also attended by Dr Rajiv Nayan, Assistant Commissioner, Central Zone, MCD, and Shammi Talwar, Brand Ambassador for the MCD’s Swachh Survekshan campaign. Talwar pointed to the growing problem of waste accumulation in the city and emphasised that waste segregation and proper disposal must begin at the source, including within individual households.
In his address, Chief Guest Shashwat Saurabh laid particular emphasis on collective action in tackling waste management, highlighting the importance of public participation in addressing the issue. He also commended the efforts of the MCD’s sanitation workers and urged students to fulfil their civic responsibilities.
Speaking to DU Beat, the President of KNC’s Student Council, Rajeshwari Shelke, said,
I feel immensely proud that Kamala Nehru College has been recognised as a Zero-Waste Institution. This achievement reflects the dedication of our students and the unwavering commitment of the college towards sustainability. Together, we’ve created a campus where responsible choices inspire lasting change.”
The programme concluded with a skit performed by members of the college’s SLRM Committee, highlighting the importance of effective waste management. The Chief Guest then distributed participation certificates to the students before presenting the Principal with the ‘Zero-Waste Institution’ certificate.
Delhi University secured a global rank of 322 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 328 last year, with significant improvements in research citations and sustainability.
The Delhi University has climbed six places in the QS World University Rankings 2027, securing a global rank of 322 compared to 328 in the previous edition. The university has also retained its position as India’s highest-ranked public university and remains seventh overall among all higher education institutions in the country.
The QS World University Rankings 2027 evaluated 8,808 institutions worldwide, with 1,504 universities from 106 countries and territories making the final list. Among the 52 Indian institutions featured, Delhi University has continued to strengthen its standing at both the national and international levels.
While the six-place rise in the overall rankings is noteworthy, the most significant improvement came in Citations per Faculty, where DU jumped 85 places globally, from 403rd to 318th. This reflects the growing quality, visibility, and impact of the university’s research output. As this metric typically changes gradually, such a substantial rise in a single edition is particularly significant.
The university also recorded notable progress in sustainability, climbing 57 places from 297th to 240th globally. Its Employer Reputation ranking improved by 15 positions, rising from 319th to 304th. DU’s overall score increased from 42.6 in the 2026 rankings to 43.8 in the 2027 edition. Among Indian institutions, Delhi University ranked second in Employment Outcomes, fourth in Sustainability (up from sixth in 2026), fourth in International Research Network, and sixth in Academic Reputation, maintaining its position in the latter category from the previous year.
One indicator that remained unchanged was Academic Reputation, where Delhi University continues to rank sixth among Indian universities. This metric reflects how academics assess the quality of teaching and research at an institution.
The rise in our global standing, along with the university’s position among India’s leading institutions, demonstrates the strength of our academic ecosystem and our commitment to excellence in teaching, research, innovation, sustainability, and societal engagement.
Delhi University has announced the second round of PG seat allocations under CSAS-PG 2026. Candidates must accept the allotted seats by June 24, while fee payment remains open until June 27.
DU is conducting admissions to postgraduate programmes for the 2026-27 academic session on the basis of scores obtained in the Common University Entrance Test (Postgraduate), or CUET-PG. The university allocates seats based on candidates’ entrance examination scores, programme preferences, and seat availability through the Common Seat Allocation System for Post-graduate Programmes [CSAS-PG].
According to an official notice issued by the University of Delhi Admission Branch, the second round of seat allocation results for post-graduate admissions has been released. As per the admission schedule, applicants who accept their allotted seats will be able to pay the admission fee until June 27. The second round of allocations was announced on June 22, hence continuing the ongoing postgraduate admission process.
The university has made 2964 fresh allocations across various postgraduate programmes during the second round. Alongside the allocation list, DU has also released programme-wise minimum allocation scores for candidates. Candidates can log in using their credentials to view their allotment status and complete the required admission formalities within the given time. Admission data released by the university indicates significant participation in the first round of admissions, with over 8,000 candidates completing the process by paying the prescribed fees. Though several students have opted for upgradation in subsequent rounds, others have chosen to retain their allotted seats.
As the second round is underway, candidates are advised to check their allotment status carefully and complete all the required admission formalities within the stipulated time. Failure to meet the deadlines for seat acceptance or fee payment may result in the cancellation of the allotted seat
Students should regularly monitor official university notifications through the admission portal and the CSAS-PG portal for updates regarding future allocation rounds, upgrades, and admission-related announcements. The postgraduate admission process is expected to continue through additional rounds of allocation based on seat availability and candidate preferences.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
2026 marks another year of Delhi University colleges topping the list in Commerce, Humanities, and the Sciences. 
