The University of Delhi (DU) has officially opened admissions for 1,370 undergraduate seats under the Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) quota for the 2026-27 academic session. This initiative offers students who have excelled in cultural, literary, artistic, and community-based activities an additional pathway to secure a place at one of India's premier universities.
Admissions Process and Eligibility
Admissions will be conducted through the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS-UG 2026). Candidates who have appeared for the CUET (UG) 2026 examination are eligible to apply. The ECA quota recognizes excellence beyond academics, allowing students to complement their academic performance with extracurricular accomplishments.
14 ECA Categories and Seat Distribution
This year, admissions under the ECA quota span 14 categories: theatre, Indian classical and folk dance, vocal and instrumental music, debate, creative writing, photography, painting, filmmaking, choreography, yoga, NCC, and NSS. Among these, Indian Classical Dance has the highest number of seats at 125, followed by Theatre with 123 seats and Indian Vocal Music with 109 seats. DU has also earmarked seats for specialized disciplines such as Western Flute, Sarod, Indian Violin, Sculpture, and Animation.
Participating Colleges
Several prominent colleges are offering admissions through the ECA quota, including Hindu College, Hansraj College, Kirori Mal College, Miranda House, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Sri Venkateswara College, Gargi College, and Ramjas College. These institutions will admit students across various disciplines based on ECA performance.
Selection Process
The selection process combines academic performance and talent assessment. According to Delhi University, 25% weightage is assigned to the candidate's CUET (UG) 2026 score, while 75% weightage is given to ECA certificates, performance trials, and practical evaluation conducted by the university. Only candidates who qualify in the ECA trials will be considered for admission under this category.
How to Apply for DU ECA Quota
To apply, candidates must follow these steps: 1) Register on the CSAS-UG 2026 admission portal. 2) Complete the undergraduate application form using their CUET details. 3) Select the Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA) quota while filling in preferences. 4) Choose the relevant ECA category based on their achievements. 5) Upload all required certificates and supporting documents. 6) Submit the application within the prescribed deadline. 7) If shortlisted, appear for the ECA trial or practical assessment conducted by the university.
The university will prepare the final merit list after combining CUET scores with the marks obtained in the ECA evaluation. With admissions now underway, students who have excelled in cultural, literary, and creative fields have another chance to gain entry into Delhi University through a system that values talent alongside academic merit.
