In a significant step towards promoting gender inclusivity and equality in higher education, Delhi University (DU) has announced its decision to expand the Single Girl Child (SGC) quota to postgraduate (PG) programmes, starting from the academic session 2025-26. This initiative, which initially began with undergraduate (UG) programmes in the 2023-24 academic year, will now provide a crucial opportunity to female students at the master’s level, furthering DU’s commitment to empowering women through education.

The SGC quota was introduced with the aim of addressing the gender imbalance in higher education and giving single girl children — often from families that may otherwise limit education investment to male siblings — an equitable chance at academic advancement. Under this policy, DU reserves one supernumerary seat in each course exclusively for a female candidate who is the sole girl child in her family. It ensures that such students do not miss out on the opportunity to pursue higher studies due to socio-economic or cultural barriers.

As of now, Delhi University offers 77 postgraduate programmes, and admissions to these courses are conducted via the Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate (CUET-PG). Once the entrance examination process is complete, candidates are allocated seats through the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS), which has become the standardised procedure for admissions across DU’s various colleges and departments. With the implementation of the SGC quota in PG admissions, every postgraduate programme will now have at least one additional seat beyond the standard intake, specifically designated for an eligible single girl child candidate.

A DU official, speaking to the Times of India, highlighted the larger objective behind this decision. According to the official, the university is committed to creating a learning environment where girls are acknowledged, encouraged, and empowered to reach their full potential. By removing barriers and offering more inclusive opportunities, DU hopes to foster a more balanced gender representation in its academic spaces, particularly at the postgraduate level, where women often drop out due to familial, social, or financial reasons.

This move is in line with Delhi University’s broader inclusion framework. Apart from the Single Girl Child quota, DU already provides supernumerary quotas for a range of underrepresented or disadvantaged categories. These include sportspersons, persons with disabilities (PwD), orphans, and children or widows of armed forces personnel. By expanding the SGC policy to the postgraduate level, the university further demonstrates its commitment to diversity, accessibility, and social equity in education.

The results from the previous academic year clearly illustrate the growing impact of the SGC initiative. In the 2024-25 academic session alone, 849 female students were admitted to undergraduate courses under the Single Girl Child quota. This marked an increase from 764 students who benefitted from the quota in 2023-24, when the policy was first implemented. The rising numbers not only reflect the demand for such a policy but also signify the crucial role it plays in uplifting young women and enabling them to pursue higher studies.

Meanwhile, Delhi University is also gearing up to begin the first phase of undergraduate admissions for the 2025-26 session. This year too, the admission process will be carried out through the CSAS portal, based on CUET-UG 2025 scores. Candidates aspiring for UG courses are required to register online by providing their personal and academic details, uploading relevant documents — such as category, PwD, or EWS certificates — and verifying their CUET-UG results, which are integrated with the system. Students must use their CUET roll number to log in and complete the application process during this phase.

The early launch of the UG admission process sets the tone for a structured and transparent system, allowing the university to ensure timely seat allocations and course enrollments. With the gradual broadening of inclusive admission policies like the SGC quota, DU continues to enhance its role as a progressive academic institution that prioritises equitable access and opportunities for all deserving students.

Overall, the extension of the Single Girl Child quota to postgraduate courses is a landmark decision that promises to make a tangible difference in the academic journeys of many young women. As DU leads the way in inclusive education, other universities across the country may take note and follow suit, potentially triggering a positive nationwide shift in how higher education supports and empowers girl students.