3 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Mar 9, 2025 09:57 AM IST
The university has been offering two combination subject systems for many of its undergraduate programmes since 2022, when DU had shifted to CUET-UG to admit students in undergraduate courses. (Express Archives)
The Delhi University (DU) on Saturday announced that students who had not studied Mathematics in Class 12 can now seek admission to B.Com (Hons) programme for the 2025-26 academic year under the second subject combination category.
The information bulletin for admissions to DU’s undergraduate programmes was released on the university website late at night.
The university has been offering two combination subject systems for many of its undergraduate programmes since 2022, when DU had shifted to Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) to admit students in undergraduate courses.
In the case of the commerce programme, the first combination requires one language from List A, Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, and any two subjects from List B. The second combination, which has been retained, includes one language from List A, Accountancy or Bookkeeping, and any two subjects from List B.
While List A consists of 14 languages and List B contains 23 domain-specific subjects.
Students applying for language-based programmes also have more flexibility, as in a major change to the eligibility criteria of certain BA (Hons) courses, candidates can now opt for two languages from List A, instead of one, and three domain subjects as part of their subject combination. For programmes like B.Sc (Hons) in Biological Science and Botany, only one subject combination is available.
Earlier, when speculations were rife that the second subject combination for admission to B.Com (Hons) may be done away with, Delhi University Students’ Union president Ronak Khatri had written to Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh raising concerns.
Story continues below this ad
The letter read, “I have come to know about the recent proposal from DU that will make mathematics a mandatory subject for students seeking admission to the BCom (H) programme… Students, who based their course selections on the previous policy, did not choose Maths in Class 12. This policy change puts them at a disadvantage… Also, better would be introducing this policy from the 2026-27 session so that aspiring students get enough time to plan and prepare accordingly.”
The information bulletin stated that as per the general programme eligibility, for admissions to 78 undergraduate courses across various disciplines — Arts, Commerce, Science, Technology, Management, Vocational Studies, and Fine Arts — students must clear Class 12 examination or its equivalent from a recognised Board.
Admissions to all undergraduate programmes except in the case of School of Open Learning, Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board and foreign nationals, will be based on CUET-UG scores.
Each programme has specific subject combinations required under CUET-UG. The DU follows the combinations in such a manner that the domain subjects align with the subjects the student has studied in Class 12 at least by 50%.
Story continues below this ad
Earlier, in programmes like B.Sc (Hons) in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics, candidates needed one language and three domain subjects, including Mathematics. But with the updated eligibility criteria, they can choose any two subjects from List B in a combination or any two languages from List A. Mathematics remains compulsory.
Meanwhile, information bulletin for admissions stated that under DU’s EWS reservation policy, students seeking to secure admission under the quota must have a certificate issued for the same after March 31, 2025.
Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai.
Professional Background
Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education.
Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses:
1. The Air Pollution Crisis
"A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure.
"Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR.
"Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter.
2. Enforcement & Regulations
"No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy.
3. Education Policy
"Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025.
"Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation.
Signature Style
Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws.
X (Twitter): @SophiyaMathew1 ... Read More
