New Delhi, December 27, 2024 – Delhi University (DU) is set to expand its commitment to empowering women through education by introducing a single girl child quota in postgraduate (PG) admissions starting from the 2025-26 academic session. This proposal will be discussed in the Academic Council meeting scheduled for Friday, December 27, 20241.

Currently, DU reserves one seat per course for single girl children at the undergraduate level, a policy introduced in the 2023-24 admission cycle. Under this scheme, 764 students were admitted across 69 colleges this year2. The new quota aims to provide similar support at the postgraduate level, covering all 77 PG programs offered by the university.

Postgraduate admissions at DU are conducted through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), followed by the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS). During the 2023-24 admission cycle, over 90,000 students applied for 13,500 PG seats2. If approved, the new quota will apply to all 77 postgraduate programs offered by the university.

DU also reserves seats under various categories, including sports, persons with disabilities (PwD), children and widows of armed forces personnel (CW), and orphaned children. With this initiative, the university seeks to expand its support to single girl children and encourage them to pursue higher education2.

The move has been welcomed by educationists and activists who believe it will provide additional opportunities for single girl children to access quality higher education. The university’s efforts to promote gender equality and support women’s education are seen as a step in the right direction.

What are your thoughts on this initiative?