New Delhi: Delhi govt has discontinued the existing rank-capping system for admissions to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), opening up the possibility of a wider pool of candidates competing for seats that remain vacant after regular counselling rounds.The move comes against the backdrop of 29,153 vacant seats across IPU-affiliated institutions over the last three academic sessions, according to university data. In 2023-24, of the total intake of 39,398, 27,482 students were admitted, leaving 11,916 seats vacant. The vacancies fell to 8,512 in 2024-25, against an intake of 40,604, and stood at 8,725 in 2025-26, when the total intake was 42,749.A senior university official said a substantial proportion of the vacancies were concentrated in affiliated institutions located outside Delhi, but within NCR. “Most are in colleges in Greater Noida, Noida and Faridabad,” university registrar Kamal Pathak said.He added the issue was particularly pronounced because 85% of the seats in these colleges are reserved for Delhi-category candidates, while Delhi students and their parents generally do not prefer taking admission in institutions located farther from the capital.Govt’s decision to remove the rank capping follows an interim report of a sub-committee constituted this April to examine the recommendations of Narayanaswamy Committee, existing admission guidelines and a regulatory framework governing affiliation and admissions in self-financing colleges affiliated with GGSIPU.Separately, govt on Aug 27 constituted a seven-member Admission Regulatory Committee for privately managed institutions across Delhi for a three-year term.The sub-committee held consultations with representatives of GGSIPU and associations of self-financing institutions before examining the issue. In its report, it observed that the resources of the university and its affiliated colleges were unutilised every year and recommended that the existing rank-capping policy be discontinued.Directorate of higher education subsequently notified the measure for the ongoing 2026-27 admission process and onwards, until further orders or final recommendations of the sub-committee, whichever is earlier.Govt has also accepted a new mechanism for physical spot counselling following the model adopted by some institutions, including DTU, NSUT and IGDTUW. Only those candidates who physically report for counselling on a particular day will be included in that day’s merit list, and available vacant seats will be allotted according to the merit of these candidates.Besides admissions, the panel recommended changes in the process of granting no objection certificates (NOCs) to affiliated institutions. It said approvals granted by statutory regulatory bodies like AICTE, Bar Council of India and Council of Architecture should be accepted for determining permitted intake wherever applicable, while the norms of such bodies should form the basis for assessing land and built-up area requirements.The sub-committee has submitted its interim report while continuing its examination of the remaining terms of reference for a final report.
