The third cut-off list by the Delhi University for undergraduate courses highlighted the fact that students belonging to the other backward classes (OBC) choose prefer off-campus colleges over the much sought-after north campus colleges which keep their cut-offs too high.

As a result, seats for OBC students remain vacant in more than 90% colleges in the third list mostly in on-campus colleges which have relaxed their cut-offs by just 5%-6% compared to 9%-10% in off-campus colleges.

With Acharya Narendra Dev College (ANDC) giving almost 10% relaxation in the second cut-off list as compared to the open category, it closed nine of its 10 science courses and BCom for OBC students in their third list.

The vice-principal of ANDC said, “After the second list was out we were not able to fill seats for OBC students. The university has asked colleges to give up to 10% of relaxation. Since we have had seats vacant in many courses last year for OBC, we have declared the highest relaxation for the students and have seen great turnout.”

Rahul, who secured 78% and wanted to do Maths (Hons), was unable to make it to any college. "The cut-offs this year have been so high that it becomes difficult for us to make the mark," he said, "I had applied in many colleges, but was not getting admission in my subject, I had already been taken in it Hindu for BSc Life Science, but luckily, ANDC opened up with a bracket that suits me and I have taken admission here."

Manju secured 76% and wanted to do English (Hons) but was not able to get into any college under the OBC quota. "I wanted to study in Miranda or LSR, I also thought I would make it, but these colleges have barely given a five% relaxation, so if I wanted to study there I would have to take up a course I did not want to do," she said, "So I have taken English (Hons) here."

Dyal Singh College filled eight out of 10 arts and commerce course for OBC students and all eight courses in the science stream.

I S Bakshi, principal, Dyal Singh College said, “The cut-offs this year has been very high, so even after giving a good percentage of relaxation in the first list, we did not see too many OBC students turn to us, therefore, we had kept around 10% relaxation for all the courses we offer. The idea is to fill all the seats allotted for the OBC category and if we are allowed to keep up to 10% margin, we rather do it to benefit the students.”

Sumit wants to study life sciences with having barely scored 70%. "I keep telling my friends that colleges don’t matter, since we are from OBC it should not matter more," he said "Luckily, I made to Dyal Singh because of their high relaxation, but ultimately the degree is going to be of the university. So considering such high cut-offs, we must just take admissions where we get.”

Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College (ARSD) filled five of their seven science courses and all eight commerce courses for OBC.

Rakesh, principal, ARSD said, “OBC students prefer off-campus colleges over north campus where colleges pitch their cut-offs very high. Even after percentage relaxation, they set high cut-offs which students are unable to get. Most of the north campus colleges don’t go beyond 6% relaxation for OBC, and we give upto 10%; we don’t want our seats to go empty."

Aarti, an OBC student from Patna who wants to do Political Science (Hons), said, “My only concern was studying Pol Science, even if it had to be in an off-campus college. I remember on the second open day, the VC had said don’t run after the big names in the university. All the colleges here are very good. This made me take admission here."

Most of north campus colleges have their seats vacant for OBC students in almost all subjects. Last year, as many as 20 colleges had failed to fill up 50% of their seats reserved for OBC contenders.