GetMyUni's Verdict on Delhi University

Preyoti Dey

“One will get to experience Delhi University’s vibrant college life and academic splendour, only after clearing the challenging admission process and cut-throat competition for seats.”

Delhi University is every child’s dream due to its rich academic heritage and reputation of producing the most promising names in Indian history. Divided into four campuses, DU houses India’s top colleges under its wings. Students not only receive the best in terms of education but DU has huge respect from people with meritorious backgrounds in sports, fine arts and performance, and provides a platform to excel both academically and curricular-wise. 

DU has a challenging admission process, and only the best minds are chosen through its rigorous selection process. The faculty at Delhi University are urbane scholars, holding multiple degrees and distinctions. With years of conversance, professors at DU have the best teaching methods.

While academics may be an important factor while selecting a college, there is also a looming concern for student safety at DU. Parents are concerned if the University is doing enough to maintain a secure campus. Prominent institutes such as SRCC and LSR have packages ranging as high as INR 40 LPA, meanwhile some colleges under DU record low placement rates. 

Table of Contents

• Historical Campus Background
• Ambitious Admission System
• Competent Faculty
• Strong Diversity and Inclusion Quotient
• Economical Accommodations Serving Good Food
• Looming Safety and Security Concerns
• Easy Dress Code
• A Generic Code of Conduct
• Pronounced Research Body
• Uplifting Events and Co-curriculars
• Moderate Placement Rates
• Reasons to Choose Delhi University

Historical Campus Background

Delhi University is well segregated into north, south, east and west campuses. Each of these have various colleges under them, with sub-campuses that feature all the latest amenities required in today’s day and age, as stated by college-goers. Out of all the four campuses, students compete for admission into Delhi University’s north campus. 

The north campus counts 13 of the most celebrated institutions in DU, some of them are, 

• School of Open Learning
• St. Stephen's College
• Shri Ram College of Commerce
• Delhi School of Economics
• Hansraj College

Simultaneously, Delhi University constructed the 69 acre south campus in a lush and hilly terrain with many amenities along with residential quarters for faculty and teaching staff. Jesus and Mary College, Aryabhatta College and Gargi College are some of the top colleges in the south campus of DU according to students. 

Modest Yet Distinct Infrastructure

Every college under Delhi University has access to its Library system which is equipped with braille resources, separate east asian study materials and a central science library among others. DU also has an integrated e-library which is accessible to students and has received many praises over the years. 

Delhi University’s health centre in North campus is also noteworthy as students and outsiders both have acknowledged the stellar health services provided by their team of in-house pulmonologist, neurologist, and dental surgeon. 

DU’s oldest yet most commendable infrastructural initiative is its University radio which is run by students and features educational information, music and more. The University’s press however is currently inactive in producing its own material and is providing students with outsourced resources. 

Students have access to decent accommodations through the University’s hostels which are affordable and provide meal services to boarders. Delhi University’s north and south campus gardens are also remarkable and serve as a perfect place to host meditative sessions, evening walks and group study space. 

Ambitious Admission System

Securing a spot at the Delhi University is a matter of prestige for many, and therefore cracking its entrance examinations becomes a stressful matter for most applicants. Previously, DU admissions were based on a gruelling cutoff system, which required cutoffs as high as 99 to 100%. Now, the University has based its admissions on entrance exams like CUET, CSIR, NEET, CAT, GMAT etc. 

Students believe that application to DU has become accessible with the implementation of CUET from 2022 onwards, however the new entrance exam has caused plenty of confusions and delays. The counselling process too created an uncertain admission environment due to lack of clarity and changing rules. Till date, selection to DU remains a laborious task for applicants.

Competent Faculty

Delhi University’s backbone are their professors and teaching staff. Not only do these academicians come from a strong academic lineage, but what sets them apart are the various qualities they possess such as teaching style, approachability, innovative teaching methods, cooperativeness and support. 

Students of top Delhi University colleges rarely seek curriculum support outside of the University, as the professor’s notes have proven to be sufficient to qualify in examinations. Professors also impart knowledge which helps students appear for competitive tests with confidence. The only drawback is the low student to teacher ratio at DU, which may be a factor in the declining position of the varsity in the NIRF rankings.

Course curriculum followed by Delhi University is updated per the New Education of Policy in India, and students have expressed their satisfaction over the course structure and topics taught. Moreover, DU’s faculty brings about the latest research studies to help students get a better command over the subject. 

Strong Diversity and Inclusion Quotient

Each year students from round the word avail admission at the Delhi University making it a melting pot of diverse cultures and backgrounds. The University’s endeavours in making the atmosphere inclusive is reliant on its acceptability rates. DU welcomes people from different socio-economic, caste and region. 

It has strong reservation quotas for castes, sports and for people with physical disabilities. Moreover, the majority of their colleges have specific infrastructure which are friendly for students with disabilities. For example, the Campus law centre has an enabling unit which includes disabled-friendly toilets, scholarships and specific teaching instruments aided for a better life at DU for disabled individuals. 

Economical Accommodations Serving Good Food

Delhi University hostels are deemed to be the most economical option when it comes to accommodation for outstation candidates. With a host of University-owned stay options, students believe that they receive a 360 degree college experience. 

Providing a safe and comfortable environment, Delhi University hostels also serve 4 meals a day. Students relish the mess food, and have remarked that Jubilee Hall, Gwyer hall and Miranda House hostels cook the tastiest meals. 

The atmosphere at the hostel also encourages students to stay involved with academics and provides the right environment for students to submerge themselves in books. Moreover, group studies also aid in sharing notes, working on projects and assignments collaboratively. 

Students also feel there is a certain ease that comes with living in the DU hostel, as all they have to do is carry their books to the college and head back to their rooms during breaks or meal times. 

However, DU hostels do have certain restrictions when it comes to bringing outsiders to the rooms, curfews, and usage of induction, washing machine, and iron. But if students manage to make some adjustments then it can be the best stay option for college-goers. 

Looming Safety and Security Concerns

The capital city has been labelled unsafe due to many unfortunate events that have occurred in the past. Parents of female students actually fear if Delhi University is the safest option for their ward given its grim history. However, Delhi University strives to create a secure environment for all its students with their strict policies towards female safety and strongly opposing acts of violence, harassment and ragging. 

Moreover, almost all colleges have a women development cell, security at all gates, police patrolling, hostel guards, and access to women teachers. General safety and security is also prominent in Delhi University campuses with installations of fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, public address systems and CCTV cameras. 

Easy Dress Code

Delhi University students are famous for their fashion forward mindset. With the no-dress code policy they find themselves channelling their personalities through dressing-up. Students are seen arriving at the campus in casual attire on most days. Colleges under DU however may set dress codes for special occasions such as inductions, convocations, guest lectures and other events. 

A Generic Code of Conduct

Delhi University follows understandable rules and regulations and is not particularly authoritarian in nature. Most Delhi University colleges share some common rules such as, 

• Students found guilty of indiscipline will lose their opportunity to win awards, merits or certificates. 
• Compulsory attendance of 2/3rd of delivered lectures and practical must be attained to appear for University exams. 
• ID cards are mandatory to enter University premises. 
• Students absent due to medical reasons must submit a doctor certificate at the time of joining. 
• Smoking, drinking, gambling and drug taking in any form is prohibited.
• Carrying arms and
• Any conduct which acts as a threat to safety and security of the college is a punishable offence. 

Pronounced Research Body

Delhi University has vehemently been in the field of research and secured funds up to INR 300 crores in the past 5 years. They have initiated plenty of UG research programs which has facilitated an integrative learning experience for students. 

The University also has an exclusive and talented research faculty who has worked on prestigious publications to increase the knowledge base and advance many fields. These researches have also been helpful in the larger public domain. 

The Delhi University has also been a recipient of many awards on international and national platforms and has been participants in global collaborations and conferences. Their student exchange programmes have also been fruitful in developing research through collaborations. 

Uplifting Events and Co-curriculars

Delhi University has its unique culture, which is based on their unending support towards sports, extracurriculars and events. Not only do students with a strong athletic background get advantage during the admission process, but they also get a platform and chance to work on their athletic strengths and showcase their talent during their tenure at DU. 

The varsity has strong infrastructural facilities to help students develop interests and skills outside of academics, which is a plus point for students. Colleges under the University hosts also have dynamic cultural festivals which are waited for all year round. Some of the prominent festivals are Nazaakat, Convergence, Mecca and more. Additionally, debates, competitions, sports days, drama and musical nights are a daily occurrence at DU.

Moderate Placement Rates

Delhi University has shown a steady growth of 56.5% in the placement packages offered through their central placement cell. However, students feel that the chances of receiving an offer through the CPC is about 30% to 40%. 

Online reviews suggest that the highest package per month is INR 50,000 per month while the lowest is INR 10,000 per month. Students have had a positive experience with placements in Miranda House, Hindu College, SRCC, St.Stephens, LSR etc. 

Placements also depend on a number of factors like the course, college, companies and internship experiences. DU, although, is famous for presenting many internship opportunities to students which can be a great learning experience. 

Some of the companies which have been seen recruiting from the central placement cell are KPMG, DE Shaw, Oberoi Group, BCG, Tresvista etc; Readers must note that the information mentioned above is limited to opinions found online for undergraduate courses. 

Reasons to Choose Delhi University

Many may find education at Delhi University overrated, but there is no doubt that they provide a stellar academic experience due to its reach in the field of research. Moreover, DU is the first option for students wishing to pursue non-technical courses in BA, B.Com, MA, M.Sc and M.Phil. Here are some of the pros and cons of studying at Delhi University.

*Source: du.ac.in