DU Opens UG Admissions at 3 More Colleges via Class 12 Marks 2026

Delhi University has opened undergraduate admissions at three additional colleges through Class 12 board marks, giving students who missed CUET cutoffs or left seats vacant a fresh chance to secure a DU degree in 2026. Shyam Lal College, Rajdhani College, and Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening) are now accepting applications for selected programmes with deadlines between August 21 and August 24, 2026. This mop-up route fills seats that remained empty after the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) admission rounds concluded.

If you are a Class 12 pass-out looking for a second window into one of India's most sought-after public universities, this guide explains which courses are open, who can apply, College-wise deadlines, and how to complete your registration before the last date. For broader context on studying in the capital, explore our directory of colleges in New Delhi.

What Is the DU Class 12 Merit Admission Route?

The Class 12 merit admission route is a supplementary admission pathway introduced by the University of Delhi to fill vacant undergraduate seats after the regular CUET-based Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS) process ends. Instead of relying on CUET scores, participating colleges prepare merit lists using candidates' Class 12 board examination marks.

Delhi University first rolled out this policy in 2024, with Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh confirming that unfilled seats should not go waste. In 2025, a similar mop-up round covered approximately 7,500 undergraduate seats across multiple colleges. For the 2026 admission cycle, five DU colleges have been cleared so far Aditi Mahavidyalaya and Bhagini Nivedita College received permission earlier, and Shyam Lal, Rajdhani, and Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening) have now joined the list.

Why Does DU Use This Route After CUET?

Since CUET became the primary gateway for DU undergraduate admissions, several programmes especially language honours, physical sciences, and niche combinations have reported vacant seats even after multiple CSAS rounds. Reasons include:

• High cutoffs in popular colleges like St Stephen's College Delhi, Hindu College Delhi, and Kirori Mal College Delhi, which draw most applicants to mainstream BA and BSc programmes.
• Subject-specific demand gaps where honours courses in Persian, Sanskrit, Urdu, or applied physical sciences attract fewer takers despite strong academic value.
• Evening college preferences, where students may prefer morning-shift institutions and leave evening seats unfilled.
• Late withdrawals and fee defaults during CSAS rounds, which reopen seats at the last minute.

The Class 12 merit route acts as a practical safety net. It ensures seat utilisation while giving deserving board toppers and strong performers another legitimate entry point into DU without a separate entrance test.

Three New Colleges Cleared for Class 12 Merit Admissions

As of August 20, 2026, Delhi University has authorised the following three colleges to admit undergraduate students based on Class 12 marks for vacant seats in specified programmes:

• Shyam Lal College – North East Delhi campus known for science and humanities programmes.
• Rajdhani College – Rajouri Garden institution offering science, Sanskrit, and interdisciplinary BA combinations.
• Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening) – Central Delhi evening college with a strong legacy in language and social science education.

Each college has published its own admission notice on its official website. Applications opened on August 20, 2026, in most cases. This facility is strictly for vacant seats in the listed programmes not for fresh allocation across all DU courses.

Earlier Colleges on the Same Route (2026)

Before this announcement, DU had already permitted:

• Aditi Mahavidyalaya
• Bhagini Nivedita College

Together, these five colleges represent the current scope of the 2026 Class 12 merit mop-up. Students should monitor official college portals, as more institutions may receive similar clearance if seats remain vacant after these rounds.

College-Wise Application Deadlines and Schedule

Deadlines differ by college. Missing even one day can disqualify your application, so treat the dates below as non-negotiable.

Action tip: Shyam Lal College has the earliest closing date August 21, 2026. If you are interested in any of its open programmes, submit your form today without waiting for other colleges.

Programmes Open Under the Class 12 Merit Route

Only specific courses with confirmed vacancies are available. Applying for a programme not listed below will not be considered, even if you meet general eligibility.

Shyam Lal College – Open Programmes

• B.Sc. Physical Science with Chemistry
• B.Sc. Physical Science with Electronics
• B.A. (Hons) Hindi

Physical Science combinations at DU provide a balanced foundation in physics, chemistry, and mathematics/electronics, suitable for students planning postgraduate studies or competitive exams. Hindi Honours remains a strong choice for careers in media, civil services, translation, and academia.

Rajdhani College – Open Programmes

• B.A. (Hons) Sanskrit
• B.Sc. (Hons) Physics
• B.Sc. Physical Science with Chemistry
• B.Sc. Applied Physical Science with Industrial Chemistry
• B.A. Programme with Sanskrit and History

Rajdhani College offers one of the wider science menus in this mop-up round. B.Sc. (Hons) Physics is particularly valuable for JAM, GATE, and research-oriented pathways. Applied Physical Science with Industrial Chemistry suits students interested in chemical industries and laboratory roles.

Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening) – Open Programmes

• B.A. (Hons) Persian
• B.A. (Hons) Sanskrit
• B.A. (Hons) Urdu
• B.A. Programme with Language + History or Political Science

Available language options for the BA Programme include Arabic, Bengali, Persian, Sanskrit, and Urdu. Evening colleges are ideal for students who work part-time, live in central Delhi, or prefer flexible schedules. Language honours graduates often pursue careers in diplomacy, cultural organisations, journalism, and teaching.

Who Should Apply for the Class 12 Merit Route?

This admission pathway is especially relevant for several student profiles. If you scored well in Class 12 boards but your CUET percentile did not match your school performance, this route lets your board marks speak for themselves. Students who missed CUET registration entirely but hold strong academic records can also use this window, provided they meet subject eligibility for open programmes.

Gap-year candidates and those who withdrew from earlier CSAS rounds due to financial or personal reasons may find this mop-up ideal. Working professionals and Delhi residents who prefer evening classes should prioritise Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening). Science students open to physical science rather than honours computer science or life sciences will find multiple options at Rajdhani and Shyam Lal. Finally, humanities students passionate about languages Persian, Sanskrit, Urdu, or Hindi should not overlook these courses simply because they are not trending on social media.

Eligibility Criteria for DU Class 12 Merit Admissions

While exact requirements may vary slightly by programme and college, the general eligibility framework is as follows:

• Educational qualification: You must have passed Class 12 from a recognised board (CBSE, ICSE, state boards, or equivalent).
• Subject combination: Your Class 12 subjects must match DU's programme-specific requirements. For science courses, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics are typically mandatory. For language honours, study of the concerned language or a related subject may be required.
• Minimum marks: Colleges set cutoffs based on available seats and applicant pool strength. There is no fixed universal percentage merit is relative to other applicants in that round.
• Age and category: Standard DU age norms and reservation policies (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD) apply as per university rules.
• CUET participation: You do not need a CUET score for this specific route, but you also cannot hold an active confirmed seat in the same programme elsewhere in DU without following withdrawal rules.

Always read the official programme-wise eligibility sheet on the college admission page before applying. A mismatch in subject combination is one of the most common reasons for rejection during verification.

Documents Required for Admission

Keep both original documents and self-attested photocopies ready. Digital uploads are required during online registration; originals are checked during physical verification.

• Class 10 mark sheet and certificate (for date of birth proof)
• Class 12 mark sheet and certificate
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD), if applicable
• Four recent passport-size photographs
• Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, or school ID)
• Character certificate from last attended institution (if requested by the college)
• Migration certificate (for board other than CBSE/ Delhi boards, if applicable)

Pro tip: Scan documents in PDF format under 2 MB each. Blurry uploads are a frequent cause of form rejection during initial screening.

How Class 12 Merit Lists Are Prepared

Unlike CSAS, where CUET normalised scores drive allocation, this route uses raw Class 12 board marks. Colleges typically follow these principles:

1. Best four or programme-specific subjects are considered as per DU ordinance.
2. Tie-breaking rules may include higher marks in the relevant subject, then aggregate, then age (older candidate preferred in some cases).
3. Category-wise lists are prepared separately where reservation applies.
4. Physical verification confirms document authenticity before final seat confirmation.

Submitting an application does not guarantee admission. You must appear for document verification on the scheduled date with all originals. Failure to report on time may result in your seat being offered to the next candidate on the waiting list.

Comparison: CUET Route vs Class 12 Merit Route

Students who performed well in boards but underperformed in CUET should seriously evaluate this route. It rewards consistent academic performance in school without an additional test score.

Understanding Reservation and Category Benefits

Delhi University follows the Government of India reservation policy for central universities. Under the Class 12 merit route, category certificates must be issued by competent authorities and valid for the current academic year. OBC candidates need non-creamy layer certificates. EWS candidates must submit income and asset certificates as per central norms. PwBD applicants should carry disability certificates specifying percentage and type of disability.

Colleges prepare separate merit lists for General, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD categories. If you belong to a reserved category, ensure your certificate clearly mentions the category name matching DU's admission form fields. Incomplete or expired certificates are rejected at verification, and the seat may be reallocated to the General category if the vacancy cannot be filled.

Strategic Tips for Applicants

1. Apply to Multiple Eligible Programmes

If you meet subject requirements for more than one open course at the same college, check whether the college allows multiple preferences in a single form or requires separate applications. Widen your options within the same campus before deadlines close.

2. Do Not Ignore Evening and Off-Central Colleges

Institutions like Zakir Husain Evening may not carry the brand pull of Ramjas College Delhi or Hansraj College Delhi, but the degree remains a full University of Delhi degree with identical academic recognition. Employers and postgraduate institutions evaluate your marks and skills, not just the shift timing.

3. Language Honours Can Be Underrated Assets

Persian, Sanskrit, and Urdu honours open doors in cultural diplomacy, UNESCO-related work, content creation, and specialised civil services preparation. With fewer applicants, your chances of securing a seat at a reasonable cutoff are higher than in overcrowded BA Economics or BCom programmes at colleges like Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) or Gargi College Delhi.

4. Science Aspirants: Consider Physical Science Tracks

B.Sc. Physical Science and Applied Physical Science programmes provide laboratory exposure and flexibility for MSc admissions. Students aiming for institutes like Delhi Technological University (DTU) or Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) for postgraduate studies can use a DU science degree as a strong foundation.

5. Track Official Notifications Daily

Merit list dates for Zakir Husain Evening are still marked "to be announced." Bookmark each college's admission page and check twice daily until verification dates are published.

What Happens After Admission?

Once your admission is confirmed after document verification:

• Pay the college fee within the stipulated window to avoid cancellation.
• Collect your enrolment number and join the college's orientation programme.
• Register for DU portal updates if required by your college.
• Apply for scholarships (merit, minority, or state schemes) if eligible.
• Explore hostel and accommodation options early vacancy-based admits often join late, so PG and rental planning in Delhi NCR should start immediately.

Delhi's academic ecosystem extends beyond DU. Medical aspirants may later target University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) or Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) at the postgraduate level. Law enthusiasts can look at National Law University Delhi for LLM pathways. Your undergraduate college is the first chapter, not the final destination.

Will More DU Colleges Open Class 12 Merit Seats?

Based on DU's 2024 and 2025 patterns, additional colleges may announce similar mop-up rounds if vacancies persist after the current five-college window. Colleges with historically unfilled seats in languages, physical sciences, and evening programmes are the most likely candidates.

Students who miss this cycle should:

• Watch admission.uod.ac.in and individual college websites.
• Follow DU's official social media channels for CSAS updates.
• Keep scanned documents ready for quick submission when new notices appear.

For women candidates seeking technical education, institutions such as Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women run separate admission cycles that are worth tracking alongside DU mop-up rounds. Students exploring flexible learning models can also review options at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) for distance programmes, though that is separate from this regular DU degree route.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming CSAS login is enough – This route requires a separate application on each college's portal or form.
• Uploading wrong mark sheets – Use final Class 12 results, not provisional sheets without board seal.
• Ignoring subject eligibility – A 95% aggregate does not help if you lack the required Class 12 subject combination.
• Missing physical verification – Online form submission alone does not confirm your seat.
• Waiting for a "better" college – Vacant seats fill quickly in mop-up rounds; delay can cost you the only available DU seat.

Conclusion

Delhi University's decision to open Class 12 merit-based undergraduate admissions at Shyam Lal College, Rajdhani College, and Zakir Husain Delhi College (Evening) gives thousands of students a timely second chance to study at one of India's premier public universities. With application deadlines closing between August 21 and August 24, 2026, eligible candidates must act immediately confirm programme eligibility, submit college-specific forms, upload documents, and report for verification on the announced dates.

This mop-up route reflects DU's commitment to filling vacant seats after CUET while recognising the value of strong board examination performance. Whether you are drawn to Hindi Honours, Physics, Physical Science, or language programmes, the opportunity is real but the window is narrow. Visit each college's official admission page today, complete your registration, and keep your documents ready for verification. A DU degree earned through merit remains as credible as any other pathway into the university and for many students, this August 2026 round may be the most practical route available.