New Delhi: Queries on the best-four policy and doubts regarding selection through sports and ECA quota on Thursday figured among the concerns raised by undergraduate admission seekers as DU held the first of its 'Open Days' counselling sessions.
Questions from students and parents were answered by Delhi University's Dean of Students Welfare JM Khurana during the exercise, which was held at the varsity's Conference Centre, situated opposite the Botany Department in North Campus.
"It is not clear what all subjects can be included in the best-four and what will be the deduction in case of vocational subjects?" an aspirant asked.
Another wanted to know "how will the colleges calculate the aggregate in case of sports quota admissions as the fitness test has been centralised from this year?"
Yet another candidate wondered whether "the trials for Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) quota admissions will also be centralised or if they will be conducted separately at colleges?"
Khurana explained that the best-four calculation policy has been simplified and it will include one language, two academic or elective subjects and the subject in which admission is being sought.
"In case the student is not including in the best four percentage the subject in which admission is sought, he or she will face a deduction of 2.5 per cent," he said.
From this year, it will be mandatory for students seeking admission in B.Com and Economics Honours courses to have mathematics as a subject in Std XII. It, however, will not be mandatory for them to include it in their best-four.
Also, Business Studies, Home Science, Accountancy and Zoology will be considered as academic subjects, unlike earlier, when they were included in the vocational subjects category, Khurana said, adding that Physical Education honours and Music honours will not be considered as vocational but academic courses.
In order to simplify and enhance transparency in the admission process, the varsity has made certain changes in the admission guidelines and seat seekers are being made aware of it.
DU has also decided to treat gap year students on a par with fresh pass-outs and there will be no deduction of percentage under the same clause.
The Dean also clarified that only the fitness test for sports quota admission has been centralised and ECA admissions will continue as per the previous pattern.
Every year, before the admission process begins for its undergraduate courses, DU conducts the 'Open Days' sessions for applicants and their parents to take up any queries with its officials.
The 'Open Days' sessions will be held till May 30 from 10 AM to 1 PM, except on Sundays, at the varsity's Conference Centre.
DU is also considering a proposal to make the recordings of these sessions available online so that admission seekers who are unable to attend the same may turn to its website for clearing any doubts.
The varsity has also prepared a set of Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs) based on queries from students in previous years. The FAQs will be available on the website soon and students visiting the campus are getting the same in the form of hand-outs.
The finalised admission guidelines have been updated on the DU website as well.
Admissions to over 54,000 seats in DU's undergraduate courses will begin from May 28. The online registration process will be open from May 28 to June 15 while offline forms will be accepted at the registration centres from June 5 to June 15. The first cut-off list will be announced on June 25.
