After release of fourth list, DU aspirants explore other avenues

Those waiting for significant dip in cut-offs have started to pin their hopes on NCWEB or SOL

Those applying to Miranda House for B.Com need 83%.

As students continue to shuffle from college to college in Delhi University after the release of the fourth cut-off list, applicants who have been waiting for a significant fall in cut-offs have started to pin their hopes on other avenues.

Results of entrance-based undergraduate programmes will be released on July 12 and several students who have not scored the near perfect scores required to get into merit-based courses will stand a chance to enter DU.

NCWEB

Many students who want to earn a degree as well as work or prepare for entrance examinations are also looking at taking admission under the Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB), which has released significantly lower cut-offs.

 

“Students who are in the 90s club take admission in one college and switch colleges in the next list. Vacancies keep opening up because of this but there is always only a marginal change in the required percentage. Due to this constant shifting, those with scores in late 80s are left languishing on the sidelines,” said Rupal Sarkar, who has spent the last fortnight studying the cut-off lists very closely.

However, she hoped seats become vacant in merit-based courses after results of entrance-based courses are released and students take admission in those courses.

Rupal’s observations are backed by information provided by the DU Admission Committee.

Professional courses

On July 6, the first day of admission under the fourth list, there were more cancellations than admissions in colleges across DU, the panel said.

The withdrawal are also due to students passing various entrance examinations outside DU for professional courses.

Bhavesh Mehra, who withdrew admission from Ramjas College after the fourth list said, he was doing so because he had got into a good medical college in Uttarakhand.

Similarly, Chirag Wadhwa withdrew from Ramjas College after he cleared the entrance exam for Indraprastha University to pursue engineering.

“A professional degree is always better than just getting a Bachelors in Science,” said Chirag, echoing the sentiments of several students who prefer to take up engineering instead of doing B.Sc.

Automatic eligibility

Women applicants from Delhi seeking admission to BA (Programme) and B.Com courses of DU have the option of seeking admission in NCWEB. Women students registered from Delhi on the university’s online admission portal will automatically be eligible to apply for these courses.

DUhas released the second cut-off list for NCWEB. Students needs scores between 70% and 80% to secure a seat. Only those applying to Miranda House and Hansraj College for B.Com need 83% and 84% respectively.

‘100% cut-offs’

NCWEB is a system with lectures on Sundays, leaving students with six working days to follow their dream. “In this neo-age of 100% cut-offs, classroom crunch and gender discrimination, NCWEB is a welcome arrangement and the most satisfactory way to get a degree from DU,” said a university official.

Courses under NCWEB are available in colleges like Hansraj College, Jesus and Mary College, Kalindi College, Maitreyi College, Miranda House, Motilal Nehru College, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, etc. The annual fee is approximately ₹3,500. At the time of admission, applicants are required to submit a residence proof showing they belong to Delhi.

Students are expected to attend classes regularly as a minimum attendance of 66.67% is required to appear for the university exams, which are held annually in May. NCWEB undergraduate students can finish their three-year B.A./B.Com degree programme over a period of six years.

There are 50 teaching days in an academic session. Classes at the undergraduate centres are held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are five 60-minute periods in a day. Teachers of DU and affiliated colleges are deputed as guest faculty to teach non-collegiate students.

School of Open Learning

DU’s School of Open Learning (SOL), like NCWEB, is another option for students looking to earn a degree while working or preparing for entrance examinations.

SOL offers BA( Hons) Programme, BA (Hons) Political Science, BA (Hons) English, B.Com and B.Com (Hons). Application forms for SOL will be released soon on the DU website. With video lectures, online modules and an e-library on offer, SOL admits over one lakh students every year. There is no minimum cut-off percentage required to take admission.

Skill-based courses

NCWEB and SOL are options being taken by students undertaking various skill-based training courses that get them job ready.

Anuradha Singh, who has taken admission in NCWEB, said, “I am not the brightest student but I am very passionate about styling. I am pursuing a course in bridal make-up during the week and plan to do B.Com over the weekend. This way I will get a degree and will be able to start earning soon.”

She added, “I have seen several students graduate from prestigious colleges but not find a job. Not everyone can afford such a luxury. By learning a skill like photography or design you can freelance immediately and work towards building a career.”

(With inputs from Jayati Gupta)