Understanding the DUET Exam for Delhi University

By Kunal Bhatia | 17 April 2025 at 5:23 pm
Understanding the DUET Exam for Delhi University

Delhi University, one of India’s most prestigious educational institutions, has long been a magnet for students aspiring to pursue higher education in diverse academic disciplines. While a significant portion of UG admissions at DU now take place through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), the Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET) remains crucial for various postgraduate (PG), MPhil, and PhD programs.

As the academic calendar advances, DUET 2025 is set to be a gateway for thousands of aspirants looking to secure a seat in top Delhi University departments and affiliated colleges. If you're aiming to appear for DUET 2025, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every key aspect of the exam — eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, preparation strategy, important dates, and more.

DUET Exam Overview

DUET, or the Delhi University Entrance Test, is a national-level entrance exam conducted annually by Delhi University for admission into selected PG, MPhil, and PhD programs. In earlier years, it was also conducted for some UG programs like BA (Hons) Humanities and Social Sciences, Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.), BMS, BBA(FIA), and BA(Hons) Business Economics. However, from 2022 onwards, undergraduate admissions shifted to CUET.

DUET 2025 is likely to be conducted for programs such as:

  • MA/MSc courses in Economics, English, Political Science, etc.
  • MCom and MBA (IB/HRM)
  • MTech (Microwave Electronics)
  • Five-Year Integrated Journalism program
  • PhD programs in various faculties

The exam is expected to be held in online mode (Computer Based Test - CBT) and follow an MCQ-based pattern.

Who Conducts DUET?

While the exam is supervised by Delhi University, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is responsible for conducting the DUET exam. NTA handles the logistics, examination infrastructure, test security, and result processing.

DUET Exam - 2025

Feature

Details

Exam Name

Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET)

Conducting Body

National Testing Agency (NTA)

Exam Level

National Level

Exam Mode

Online (Computer Based Test)

Duration

2 hours

Type of Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Language

English (mostly)

Courses Offered

PG, MPhil, PhD programs

Frequency

Once a year

Official Website

https://admission.uod.ac.in/

DUET 2025 Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies by program, but the general criteria include:

For PG Courses:

  • A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in the relevant stream.
  • Minimum marks requirement usually ranges from 50% to 60%, depending on the course and category.
  • Some PG courses also allow merit-based admission for DU students (usually 50% of seats).

For MPhil/PhD Programs:

  • A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks (50% for reserved categories).
  • For PhD, candidates might also be required to submit a research proposal and qualify in an interview round post-exam.

DUET 2025 Exam Pattern

The exam pattern for DUET 2025 will differ slightly based on the program, but the general structure is as follows:

Particulars

Details

Mode of Examination

Online (CBT)

Duration

2 hours (120 minutes)

Number of Questions

100 MCQs

Total Marks

400 marks

Type of Questions

Objective-type, Multiple Choice

Marking Scheme

+4 for correct, -1 for wrong answer

DUET tests a mix of subject knowledge, general aptitude, quantitative reasoning, and English language skills, depending on the course you're applying for.

DUET 2025 Syllabus

Each program has its own syllabus. Here's a broad idea of what to expect:

For MA English:

  • Literary terms and theory
  • British Literature (Chaucer to Modern Age)
  • Indian Writing in English
  • Literary Criticism
  • Grammar and Comprehension

For MA Political Science:

  • Political theory and thought
  • Indian government and politics
  • Comparative politics
  • International relations
  • Public administration

For MCom:

  • Accounting and Finance
  • Business Statistics
  • Economics
  • Taxation
  • Business Law and Management

For MA Economics:

  • Microeconomics & Macroeconomics
  • Statistics
  • Econometrics
  • Mathematics for economics
     
  • Development economics and Indian economy

For Journalism/Media:

  • General knowledge and current affairs
  • Logical reasoning
  • Media and communication basics
  • Comprehension

Candidates are advised to check the official DU admission portal for detailed, course-wise syllabi when the official notification is released.

DUET 2025 Application Process

Here’s how the application process is expected to unfold:

  1. Visit the official website: https://admission.uod.ac.in/
     
  2. Register using email and mobile number.
     
  3. Fill the application form: personal, academic, and course-related details.
     
  4. Upload documents: scanned photo, signature, marksheets, ID proof.
     
  5. Pay the application fee online via debit/credit card or net banking.

Application Fee (Expected):

Category

Fee (PG Programs)

General/OBC

₹750 per course

SC/ST/PwD

₹300 per course

DUET 2025 Important Dates (Tentative)

Event

Tentative Date

DUET 2025 Notification

May 2025

Registration Starts

May/June 2025

Last Date to Apply

June/July 2025

Admit Card Release

July/August 2025

DUET 2025 Exam Date

August 2025

Result Declaration

August/September 2025

Counseling/Interviews Start

September/October 2025

DUET 2025 Preparation Strategy

Cracking DUET requires a focused and strategic approach. Here are some practical tips:

1. Know the Syllabus Thoroughly

Download or note down the complete syllabus for your chosen course. Understanding the scope of topics will help prioritize your preparation.

2. Practice Previous Year Papers

DUET question papers follow a fairly predictable pattern. Practicing 3–5 years’ worth of papers gives you a good sense of question difficulty and topic weightage.

3. Use Course-Specific Books

Depending on your course, refer to:

  • IGNOU/NCERT material for general subjects
     
  • Reference books like ‘Ramesh DU PG Entrance Guides’
     
  • Delhi University previous year notes (available from coaching centers)

4. Time Management

Since the paper has 100 questions in 120 minutes, you must balance speed with accuracy. Practicing mock tests regularly will improve your efficiency.

5. Mock Tests & Online Resources

Enroll in a reliable DUET-specific mock test series. Also, leverage free resources like NTA practice papers and Delhi University departmental guides.

What Happens After DUET 2025 (Post-Exam)?

Result Declaration:

Once the exam is over, NTA will publish scorecards for each course.

Merit List & Counseling:

Based on scores, DU releases merit lists for each course. If you’re shortlisted, you’ll be asked to appear for document verification, and in some cases, interviews.

Seat Allotment:

Seats are allotted based on rank, category, course preference, and seat availability.

DUET vs CUET

While CUET is now the common entrance exam for all UG programs across central universities, DUET still serves as the entrance exam for PG and PhD admissions at Delhi University. However, going forward, there are speculations that CUET-PG might fully replace DUET in a few years.

Conclusion

Delhi University is not just a university — it's an institution of national legacy. A DU PG or PhD degree opens doors to academia, civil services, media, finance, research, and beyond. And DUET 2025 is your ticket to that world. Nowadays, with design careers gaining immense popularity, many passionate Delhi students are increasingly exploring top design colleges in Pune, Bangalore and other educational hub cities for creative education.

Whether you aspire to be a political analyst, economist, historian, researcher, or even an academician, DUET bridges your undergraduate education with your professional future. With thorough preparation, careful application, and strategic planning, clearing DUET 2025 is absolutely achievable. Start early, stay consistent, and let Delhi University be your next academic milestone.