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Admissions 2015

The B.Com. vs Economics debate

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One of the biggest bafflement a commerce student faces, during admission time, is whether to pursue B.Com. or Economics. To begin with, you are spoilt for choice since you’ve got the option of choosing between two of the most prestigious subjects that DU offers.

A lot of people decide between the two courses based on their interest/marks in class 12th in Accounts and Economics. Just to make things very clear, there is a lot of difference between what you study in college and what you studied in school. Speak to college students, teachers and the Internet.

The popular notion of B.Com. and Economics having similar topics is false; there is vast difference in the courses. B.Com. is a generalised course which combines accountancy, economics and business studies. Economics, on the other hand, is a specialised course which deals with rational behavior and making the best choice with limited resources.

B.Com. opens up avenues for the field of Chartered Accountancy, Finance, Business Entrepreneurship, Company Secretaryship and Law. It also gives you a boast to look into management, IT and academics. Economics is a builder for jobs in the policy making, corporate sector, developmental sector and key specialized areas. It also allows you to take up IES services after post-graduation in the subject.
Economics requires a lot of usage of maths and statistics. So if you are not big fans of these subjects, three years of graduation can be very tough with them. Commerce, on the other hand, is 60% theoretical, give or take.

Commerce comprises of trading commodities of economic value such as goods, services, information or money between two or more entities. Commerce works as the mechanism which drives capitalism and certain other economic systems. Economics is the branch of social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

Do your homework before deciding because this shall affect your future. Chalk out a list of your interests and compare it with the subjects offered by the two courses. Get hold of the Under-Graduation syllabus to get a better view.

Important Links

Commerce

Course content: http://goo.gl/8aygAA

Unconventional further study options: https://dubeat.com/?p=26724

Economics

Course content: http://goo.gl/arDd4e

Unconventional further study options: https://dubeat.com/?p=27081

 

All the best for the admission season!

Ishita Sharma

[email protected]

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Campus Central

Life at Delhi University: Political Science Honours

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1. Politics begin to interest you more and you start keeping track. Unless you were a hardcore political lover from the beginning, admit it, this is a new found interest for you.  You start following news articles and watch channels to keep updated on the latest issues and finally understand what all the ministers are there for. Having likeminded or people with the same interests as yours (talking about classmates and department people here) you get a chance to discuss all the information you have digested, form your own opinions about them and grow your knowledge about the state of politics in the nation and around the world. On the other hand, if you had consciously chosen political science and have already been doing all the above since you could understand news, then you have probably developed a wider understanding of the ‘whats’ and ‘whys’ of the polity.

2. You learn to think critically of every issue that you come across.

One of the benefits of studying the subject is that you learn to develop a critical mindset. You do not willingly accept everything that you hear and learn to question every policy or programme put forward by an authority whether it be the college political party’s or the governments’. Repeated practice of putting up debates or counter debates in class lectures helps polish this line of thinking.

3. People assume you know the Constitution of the country like the back of your hand.

Yes, we are students of political science and no, we do not know the constitution by heart. It is not necessary that we know each and every law there is out there.  It has been in my experience that people have asked me numerous times what certain laws and rights are. Although I have been more than happy to give them a satisfactory answer (and at times blank looks) all knowledge about rights and regulations are not always on the tip of our tongue.

4. “Political Science? Oh so you are joining the civil services!”

This happens more than a lot. Maybe not just for Pol. Science students but it’s a definitely for us. Sometimes there is not even an ‘if’, just a “Have you started preparing?”. Although once in class almost everybody raised their hands when the teacher asked for civil service aspirants, it does not hold true for all. It is no secret that many of us have taken major in this subject because it was the best option for us given our percentage. Pol. Science is not just a stepping stone to conquering the UPSC exams. I have seen many students who are more interested in other activities like photography or doing social service. It is just one of the many assumptions that we have to deal with.

5. You slowly develop your own political philosophy and your set of beliefs about the world.

Reading about Marx, Kant, the works of Mill and other thinkers of the political world and their ideologies, beliefs and theories puts before us a plethora of conceptions to go through. At times we find ourselves agreeing with some and at sometimes not so much. Over time, as we articulate our thoughts and views we find them parallel to the views of some other thinker. And as such, slowly we develop our own ideologies, political or otherwise. Political Science as a subject can be really challenging and given the vast nature of the subject, sometimes it may seem like an impossible feat. Even for the subject lovers who might at times be daunted by the vastness of the course, the circling conceptions and debates which do not have definite answers. But at the end of the day, it helps us see the world in a different light and with a new found understanding which is worth it. Featured image credits: www.itimes.com Arindam Goswami [email protected]]]>

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Bazinga

Bazinga: Four DU students suspended for dealing in Maggi; ‘Tom Uncle’s Maggi point’ no more

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Disclaimer: Bazinga is DU Beat’s weekly column of almost believable fake news!

Four university students allegedly dealing in selling Maggi to other hungry students near the university campus were suspended for a period yet undetermined by the varsity. “The University has always vehemently condemned acts of illegal nature and although we are empathetic to the plight of the students we cannot act otherwise” said a senior member of the teacher’s body. In his defence, one of the suspended argued, ”I thought I could help a lot many people you know. Save them from starving. So what if i make a little money out of it?”  With a ban on the ‘rescue snack’ many students are in dilemma as to what will feed their mouths. Canteens in DU have reported mass decline in sales and menu cards have undergone massive transformation as well. “We have nothing to feed them” said a distressed canteen manager deploring the loss of their best-seller.

Meanwhile there has been no news of the owner of ‘Tom Uncle’s Maggi point’ who has not been seen at his regular since the last few days. One of the most famous Maggi joints inside the campus, it was known for selling varieties of the same. According to sources he has been trying to sell off the last of his stock to anyone who will buy it. The varsity has since ordered an area wise sweep of the campus to locate any shops selling the product, within a 500 metre radius. These shops will be instructed to switch to another product, failing which they will be asked to leave the campus. For students the university has ordered a week long suspension for anyone found with a packet or more. Such are the new conditions which DU faces.  Such an ordinance is expected to be a tough trial on everyone.

Bazinga is DU Beat’s weekly column of almost-believable fake news!

Feature Image- www.sodelhi.com

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Admissions 2015

How to ace the BMS/BBA(FIA)/B.A (Hons.) Business Economics entrance

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University of Delhi will be conducting its Joint Admission Test for BMS/BBA(FIA) and BA(Hons.) Business Economics on Sunday, 20th June 2016.

The exam is only the first stage of the admission process where its weightage is 45% along with 40% weightage given to the 12th Board scores and 7.5% given to both the interview and group discussion round. Read more about the seat breakup and other crucial details from our previous report here.

According to the Admission Brochure given by DU, –

– The exam will have 120 questions to be attempted in 120 minutes
– Each question will be objective type multiple choice based.
– The exam will be take place from 3PM TO 5PM 6th June 2016.
– Each correct answer will get the candidate 3 marks and every incorrect answer will get them 1 negative mark.
– The question paper will be divided into 4 sections.
Here is a detailed section-wise guide I have made based on my experience of giving 2014 JAT –

1. Quantitative Ability

This section will contain questions from the 11th and 12th Maths syllabi. Questions from the 12th class Math syllabus won’t be that challenging, although you might want to brush up on Relations and Functions as many people skip it as it doesn’t have much weightage in the board exams, 5 questions are expected to be coming from Relations and Functions.

3-D Geometry is another unit you might want to prepare as it might contain 4-5 questions.
From the 11th Class syllabus, Sets and Permutations and Combinations are important units to be covered. Probability is a unit which spans both the 11th and 12th syllabi, therefore it is expected to be a major part of the Quantitative Ability section. Questions involving dice and deck of cards are expected to come.

2. Reasoning and Analytical Ability

This section will include reasoning and assertion based questions. It is also expected to contain a subsection of either a bar graph or chart and 8-10 questions based on analysis of that graph. Any data interpretation book will help you to practice questions which might appear in this section.

3. General English

This section’s name might make you think that it will be easy to attempt but it might prove to be the toughest for many people.
It will contain a reading comprehension subsection containing at least 5 questions which is considerably easy to attempt and does not need much preparation. 5 questions are expected to be idiom-based so learning basic English idioms may help. 5 direct vocabulary questions are also expected. For the vocabulary questions, research previous year papers and other exams (for example: CLAT) and identify and learn important words from there, this is the best shot to score in vocabulary as mugging up hundreds of words at this point will not benefit you. Fill in the blanks and one word substitution are also expected to come and are considerably easy and do not require practice.

4. Business and General Awareness

This section will contain direct general knowledge based questions. Since this section does not require much thinking, do not give too much time attempting it.

The main feature of General Awareness is that most of it contains ‘static general knowledge’ based questions. Popular questions in this section are along the lines of product and their companies. Start memorizing what product is produced by which company (your shampoo bottle,your shoes, clothes etc) and taglines of products and companies. Memorize what banks are nationalized and important international days  (Eg: Women’s day, Earth Day, AIDS Awareness Day)
Look up where popular companies’ headquarters are located, memorize important international and national prize winners of the current and previous years (eg: Nobel Prize, Bharat Ratna)

Some other helpful tips-
– Attempt the General Awareness and English section first as they require lesser thinking than the other two sections, this will give you more time to devote to the time consuming math problems. Be careful of the question numbering in the OMR sheet, though.

– I personally recommend you NOT to wild guess. Other exams generally have a 4:1 ratio of positive and negative marking however this exam has a 3:1 ratio so you have more to lose.

– A very repetitive tip but if you’re stuck on a question, leave it. It will be a challenge to attempt 120 questions in 120 minutes, utilize the time carefully.

All the best!

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Admissions 2015

Offline applications begin: Where and how to apply

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University of Delhi began sale and receipt of the common pre-admission OMR forms on Friday, 5th June. The forms are available at 8 designated admission centres of the University. Last date to fill the form is 15th June. A candidate is required to fill the pre-admission form only once, either online or offline. Last week, the University began accepting online forms on its website.

DU deploys an ‘optical mark recognition’ type of form for applications. The form will have circles that the candidates will have to darken entirely with a pen. Care must be taken to ensure that the necessary circles are darkened completely but no excess ink should be used on the form.

The forms are available at the following centres:

1. ARSD College
2. Gargi College
3. PGDAV College
4. Dyal Singh College
5. S.G.T.B Khalsa College*
6. Rajdhani College
7. Shyam Lal College
8. Maharaja Agrasen College

*Added to the list later by DU in place of SGGS College of Commerce.

The following subject code chart should be used while filling the form:

Subject codes

The University has specified the following guidelines for filling of the application form:

  • The form can be bought from any of the centres and can be submitted at any of the centres. A candidate is not required to visit the same centre for both the purposes.
  • There are 2 forms: one for General/OBC categories and the other for SC/ST/PwD categories. A candidate must fill the correct form.
  • Only blue or black pen is to be used to fill the form.
  • The form, after filling, should be photocopied (both sides of the form on one sheet of paper, back to back). The photocopy is to be kept by the candidate as acknowledgement.
  • It must be ensured that the formed is not folded, crumpled or mutilated. No markings should be made on the form other than those required. The marks on the margin of the form are also not to be tampered with.
  • For PwD candidates: PwD 1: Blindness/low vision; PwD 2: Hearing impairment; PwD 3: Locomotor disability and Cerebral Palsy

For more information, visit: http://du.ac.in/du/uploads/Admissions/2015/ug/27-5-2015-ug.pdf

Featured graphic designed by Naman Sehgal

Ishaan Gambhir

[email protected]

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Admissions 2015

Dates and guidelines for admission to NCWEB in 2015

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The NCWEB is well established institution under Delhi University which seeks to provide education to women with special coaching but without attending regular classes. It was started in 1944 and due to its increasing popularity and logistical issues, it has established centers in colleges like Bharati College, Janki Devi Memorial College, Jesus & Mary College, Kalindi College, Lakshmi Bai College,Mata Sundri College, Maitreyi College, PGDAV College, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, Hans Raj College, Maharaja Agrasen College and Vivekananda College. It only conducts weekend classes – on the remaining days of the week, students are free to pursue an occupation or another educational course.

Like SOL, NCWEB follows the annual examination system. It teaches the following two courses:

  • BA Programme (English, Hindi, Punjabi, History, Political Science, Sanskrit, Economics, Mathematics, OMSP-Office Management & Secretarial Practice)
  • B.Com.

The Non Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB) has declared its guidelines,  important information along with dates for admissions to undergraduate courses.

  • The forms will be sold from 8th June to 24th June at 4 centres, namely Kalindi College, Maharaja Agarsen College, PGDAV College and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College.
  • Admission to the NCWEB centers will be decided on the basis of cutoffs.
  • The percentage for B.A. Program will be decided on the basis of 10+2 board results by taking the best of four subjects which should have one language and three best subjects which can include maximum one vocational subject.
  • While for B.Com. the criteria is one language, Business Studies, Accountancy and one more best subject which could be a vocational subject as well. Students from streams other than Commerce will be considered with a deduction of 5% marks in best of four percentage.
  • The first cutoff list will be out on 8Th July and the last on 21st July.

The OMR form needs to be filled with attention. Only black/blue point ink is to be used. No photocopies are to be attached with the form. After filling the form, its photocopy must be stamped and kept as an acknowledgement. Make sure that the boxes in the form are properly filled, otherwise you stand a chance of getting your form rejected.
For more information, check: http://ncweb.du.ac.in/ncweb/sites/default/files/UG%20Information%20Pamphlet%202015-16.pdf
http://ncweb.du.ac.in/ncweb/sites/default/files/UG%20Notice.pdf

Image credits: NCWEB website

Ishita Sharma

[email protected]

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Campus Central

Smriti Irani visits Hindu College, hostel fee for PWD students waived

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IMG_20150602_112246961 The issue has its origin in the fact that the Governing Body of Hindu College has not reimbursed the amount of the fee waived in the last three years. As per an advisory of the University, the Governing Body must meet this expenditure through funds available to the college. Currently, the amount outstanding under this head is Rs. 7,19,313. The HRD minister spent only 20 minutes in the college, during which the administration announced a complete hostel fee waiver and 50 percent reduction in the mess fee for disabled students. The minister arrived at 11 AM and left the college premises by 11:20 AM. She also met the college officiating principal Anju Srivastava, hostel warden Poonam Sethi and Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) president Nandita Narain. The warden claimed that the governing body didn’t allow the implementation of the scheme in the first place. DUTA president Nandita Narain made a representation to Irani on the issue of  victimisation of teachers, teachers’ pension scheme and  the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS). Irani also personally met the teachers who have been on protest for 42 days against their penalisation by the college for writing a letter to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to complain about alleged irregularities in the functioning of the college and certain construction work in the college campus. Irani assured that she will mark the representation regarding Hindu College to the governing body and seek its response. She also said that the DUTA and other teacher associations will be invited before the review committee and that a meeting will be called to discuss controversial Choice Based Credit System. Last week, DU’s Executive Council passed CBCS without discussion.   Image credits: DUTA Sidharth Yadav [email protected]]]>

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Admissions 2015

Courses less known: Language and vocational courses

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One of the great reasons why Delhi University is way ahead than other universities in India is the advancement in its courses. There are courses beyond the realm of conventional and mainstream subjects like Economics and Commerce, etc. These include language and vocational courses. The language courses have been embraced as a part of academics in many colleges. For vocational courses, Delhi University took a bigger step and established an institution called College of Vocational Studies. These courses are of three years and one graduates with the complete knowledge of the subject, both theoretically and practically.

Following is a list of all the language and vocational courses in Delhi University.

Language Courses

1. B.A. (Honours), M.A., M. Phil, PhD

There are a number of languages that you can get a degree in from the above options. These include French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Bulgarian, Japanese and the Chinese language.
For taking up any of these as your major, you need to clear an entrance test. For some of the languages, you also be interviewed.

The languages are divided into different departments and the contact numbers and office addresses can be found in the following links.

For Russian and Bulgarian, you need to contact the Department of Slavonic and Finno-Ugrian Studies.
http://www.du.ac.in/du/index.php?page=slavonic-finno-ugrian-studies

For French, Spanish, German and Italian, you should contact Department of Germanic and Romance Studies.
http://grs.du.ac.in/index.html

For Japanese and Chinese, Delhi University has the Department of East Asian Studies.
http://www.du.ac.in/du/index.php?page=east-asian-studies

2. Diploma/Advanced Diploma

Delhi University offers a Diploma degree in German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Romanian, Swahili, Pali, Tibetan, Modern Arabic and some European languages. In the case of some languages, you need to have passed a Certificate course for Diploma. For advanced diploma, a Diploma in the same language is mandatory. The admission process of these courses starts after the regular admissions and classes start from August.

The links for the departments of these languages are as follows:-

Department of Germanic and Romanian Studies- French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian
http://grs.du.ac.in/index.html

Department of Slavonic & Finno-Ugrian Studies- European Languages

http://www.du.ac.in/du/index.php?page=slavonic-finno-ugrian-studies
Department of African studies- Swahili
http://www.du.ac.in/du/index.php?page=african-studies

Department of Buddhist studies- Pali and Tibetan
For more details: http://www.du.ac.in/du/index.php?page=buddhist-studies

Department of Arabic- Modern Arabic
For more details: http://www.du.ac.in/du/index.php?page=arabic

3. Certificate Courses

DU also offers certificate courses for those who wish to learn a language beyond their main subjects. People can apply to any of these courses right after class 12th. Graduates and post-graduates can also apply and the course lasts for an entire year. Several colleges in Delhi University offer these courses, some of which include Kamla Nehru College, Daulat Ram College, CVS, etc. The admission process of these courses starts after the regular admissions and classes start from August. You can study these languages even while studying another regular course at DU!

 

Vocational Courses

College of Vocational Studies offers around seven different vocational courses. Under each of these, you are provided with all the theoretical knowledge accompanied by industrial visits. You get rigorous training in the course you pursue and get a job easily right after graduating. The cutoffs for these courses range between 70-85%.

These are some of the courses that this college provides.

  • Tourism
  • Office Management and Secretarial Practice
  • Management and Marketing of Insurance
  • Small and Medium Enterprise
  • Materials Management
  • Human Resourse Management
  • Marketing Management and Retail Business

The vocational courses do not have any entrance tests and students are admitted solely on the basis of 12th Boards percentage.
If you have time on your hands and wish to do something different, then these courses offer immense opportunities. People who wish to become an entrepreneur and start a business of their own or wish to become a proficient in a certain language should definitely enroll for any of these courses.

 

Image source http://traitdunion-online.eu

Sudisha Misra
[email protected]

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DUB Speak

The road to the country’s top job: How to crack civil services exam in India

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Civil services, unanimously considered to be the most prestigious services in the country since the times of British imperialism, is the singular job attracting millions of Indian youth to participate in the administration of the country. Over the course of time, the government of India has set up a strict merit based recruitment process to churn out the most dynamic and intelligent youth for about 1000 vacancies with number of applicants over 10 lakhs.

The Union Public Service Commission every year conducts the exam for recruitment to different services like Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Services (IPS), Indian Revenue Services (IRS) etc. The recruitment process is a three stage elimination procedure starting with a Preliminary Exam in August with Mains in December followed by the final interview. Like the extensive examination process, the preparation for civil services is like climbing the Everest since UPSC tests the candidates on myriad subjects from economy to polity, science and technology to geography etc.

Opposed to the general myth propagated by many that cracking this exam relies on rote learning of about 100 books, newspapers, etc., in the present scenario it has become the most challenging exam in the world requiring analytical test of everyday events and objects around you on a day to day basis. Not only learning, but the ability to logically decipher the understanding of current events, history, scientific and geographical facts is necessary to get into civil services today.

It needs utmost patience and determination on the part of the candidates to devote at least 6-8 hours daily to the preparation that should ideally start during the final year of graduation or just after graduation. While most candidates are confused in the initial stages about the preparation regarding coaching classes, which books to refer, how to make notes, what to skip and what to read etc. with the plethora of options floating in the market, it’s better to take advice from the right person to save you from further roadblocks. This saves you from unnecessary wastage of time and money and helps in further preparation which is an uphill task.

Like the preparation stage, the time needed to clear the exam takes about a year which once you succeed through places you with the Union Public Service Commission for your training. While most of the countrymen aspire for this service to gain a better position in career, social prestige, etc, there is a real scope of contributing to the process of nation’s development and societal growth through this service. Today our country is plagued by many lacunas which can be eradicated with the selfless service of able and honest officers who are both meritorious and talented to deal with the current problems of the country.

“The journey towards civil services is an immensely enriching experience. At each step, we need to prove that we genuinely deserve what we aspire. The heartfelt conviction, the undying passion, the much needed consistency and the incessant desire to learn is all it takes to reach the acme.”, says Ayushi Dube, a student at Jawaharlal Nehru University aspiring for civil services.

For a young graduate, aiming for civil services needs enthusiasm to learn, patience, maturity to let go of failures and the nationalistic fervour to contribute to the country. There are many hindrances that one may face in their UPSC journey but the right strategy, the right time management and the right path always guides you towards the goal which is a dream of many but achieved by a few passionate young fellows every year.

 

Image Credits: helpgov.wordpress.com

 

Arushi Srivastava

[email protected]

 

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Admissions 2015

Admission guidelines for Kashmiri Migrants and Armed Forces quota

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Every year hundreds of students enrol in various colleges through the Defence and Kashmiri Migrant categories, the process for which is a lot different from the usual procedure for admission to the University. Here are the important guidelines and dates to keep in mind while enrolling through these quotas this year:

 

1. Defence category

 

Children/widows of the officers and men of the armed forces including paramilitary forces killed/disabled in action or those who died/were disabled on duty, gallantry awardees are eligible for admissions to the University which reserves 5% of the seats in each course for the same.

Application forms will be obtainable from Academic Branch- 1, Room no 218, New Administrative Block, University of Delhi, Delhi – 110007 from 5th June 2015 to 15th June 2015 between 10 AM to 1 PM (Excepts Sundays). After attaching the relevant documents, the form is to be submitted at the same address. On 30th June 2015 (1PM) notification of the admission list will be put at the notice board of the New Administrative Block and the university website. Selected candidates will be issued provisional admission slips from 30th June  to 2nd July after which they have to go to the concerned colleges for final admissions.

 

2. Kashmiri migrants category

 

The Academic Branch- 1, Room no 218, New Administrative Block, University of Delhi, Delhi – 110007 would register the wards of Kashmiri migrants from 5th June 2015 to 15th June 2015 between 10.00 AM to 1.00 PM (Excepts Sundays).The Joint Registrar (Academic) will release a list of candidates for admission in various colleges on 13th July 2015 after 9 AM. Admissions will start with the release of the list and will end by 16th July.

A concession of maximum 10% in the last cut- off list for the general category candidates shall be extended to the candidates for admissions to various courses (Reservation not applicable for courses requiring entrance test).  Candidates will have to fulfil the minimum eligible criteria prescribed by the university. Candidates can refer to the Bulletin of Information (Undergraduate Courses) for the year 2015-2016 for the same.

 

Featured image credits: Surbhi Bhatia
Sidharth Yadav

[email protected]

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