More than half of Hindi and Sanskrit honours seats remain vacant at Delhi University (DU) for the 2026 admission cycle. This trend highlights a declining student interest in traditional language subjects.
Declining Enrollment in Language Courses
Data from DU indicates a significant number of unfilled seats. PGDAV Evening College, for instance, has over 50 percent of its Hindi and Sanskrit honours seats empty. Approximately 25 Hindi honours seats are vacant, while 27 of the 54 Sanskrit honours seats remain unfilled.
This situation has raised concerns among university faculty. Teachers attribute the drop in enrollment to students prioritizing courses offering tangible career prospects and skill development. The introduction of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for DU admissions has amplified this shift.
Student Preferences Shift Towards Skill-Based Courses
Courses in computer science, management, media, and data analysis are now more popular. These skill-oriented programs align with student and parental expectations for better employment opportunities compared to language degrees.
Colleges across DU, particularly in the South Campus, report similar vacancies in Hindi and Sanskrit honours departments. The admission process has struggled to fill these positions.
Faculty Propose Solutions for Vacant Seats
University instructors suggest changes to the admission process. They are calling for colleges to be permitted to set their own cutoffs and grant admissions based on merit. This approach, they argue, could attract students who wish to study Hindi or Sanskrit but were not able to prioritize these subjects within the CUET framework.
Teachers express concern that continued high vacancy rates could further diminish future student interest in these languages.
Admission Data at Select Colleges
| College | Program | Seats Vacant (Approx.) |
| PGDAV Evening College | Hindi Honours | 25 |
| PGDAV Evening College | Sanskrit Honours | 27 |
