Higher Class XII percentages plus an increase in the sale of application forms this year means that Delhi University’s cut-offs are all set to scale new heights – making the 15 per cent relaxation given to extra-curricular activity (ECA) and sports quota all the more dear. This week, most colleges at Delhi University opened their doors for ECA and sports applications and were flooded with a rush of students.
“I have 57 per cent and with the additional 15 per cent relaxation I am hoping I can get into some college. I am applying for all the courses. I am a really good dancer and I am also an athlete. I do not care which college, I do not want to do a correspondence course. This is the best shot I have,” said Poorvi, who had come with her sister and was busy doing the rounds of every college selling these forms.
Ramjas College was busy sorting out its ECA and sports application forms and said that they averaged around 1,000 applications every year and that this year too could turn out to be the same.
“Now, it is five per cent quota for ECA and sports put together subject-wise unlike the previous years where it was a total five per cent for the whole college. So, we have to divide the quota through the courses and meetings are going on for this,” said principal Rajendra Prasad, adding that the competition for sports was especially tough. On an average basis, there are three spots and about 140 students competing for them.
Some students trooping into the colleges had enquiries that ranged from the mundane to the bizarre.
“First, they ask me if they should apply for the ECA category. Then they ask me what an audition is and if I will be taking the audition. Many people asked me what I was doing behind a volunteer desk if I wasn’t going to take an audition. And who eventually would take the audition?” said Guneet Singh, who was helping with the “Dramatics” enquiries at Khalsa College, where each activity ranging from music to fine arts to sports had volunteers.
According to the university regulations, certificates are required for both ECA and sports quota with 75 per cent weightage given to trials and 25 per cent to certificates.
