DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern: Prelims, Mains, Skill Test, Marking Scheme
The University of Delhi has published the DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Syllabus 2026 and exam pattern with Advt. No. R&P/323/2026 (dated 19 October 2026). This recruitment is for 46 Senior Assistant and 80 Assistant posts. Selection has three steps: a Preliminary Test (100 MCQs, 200 marks) used only for shortlisting, a descriptive Main Examination (200 marks) on which the final merit is based, and a qualifying Skill Test (100 marks).
This article explains the DU Senior Assistant exam pattern 2026, the DU Assistant syllabus, the marking scheme, the preliminary cut-off method, the shortlisting ratio and the skill test, all taken from the official Scheme of Examination. For vacancy, eligibility, fee and how to apply, read our full Delhi University Recruitment 2026 article. You can also see the AUD Delhi Non-Teaching Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 for a similar university exam.
Quick summary:
➤ Posts: Senior Assistant (ND0601, Level 6) and Assistant (ND0401, Level 4)
➤ Stage 1: Preliminary Test, 100 MCQs, 200 marks, 2 hours 30 minutes (shortlisting only)
➤ Negative marking: −0.5 mark for each wrong answer (each question carries 2 marks)
➤ Stage 2: Main Examination (descriptive), 200 marks, 2 hours (final merit)
➤ Skill Test: 100 marks, qualifying, pass mark 50
➤ Language: Bilingual papers (English / Hindi); use one medium throughout
➤ Key subject: Administration of Higher Educational Institutions (40 of 100 MCQs)
Table of Contents
- DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Selection Stages
- Preliminary Test Exam Pattern
- Preliminary Test Syllabus
- Preliminary Cut-off and Shortlisting
- Main Examination Pattern and Syllabus
- Skill Test Pattern
- Extra Marks for DU Contract / Ad hoc Staff
- Senior Assistant vs Assistant: Differences
- Preparation Tips
- FAQs
- Important Links
DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Selection Stages
The DU Senior Assistant and Assistant selection process is the same in structure for both posts. Only the Main exam and the Skill Test decide the final result. The stages and their role are shown in the table below.
| Stage | Test | Marks | Duration | Counted in final merit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Preliminary Test (MCQ) | 200 | 2 hours 30 minutes | No (shortlisting only) |
| Stage 2 (a) | Examination (Main), descriptive | 200 | 2 hours | Yes (merit is drawn on this) |
| Stage 2 (b) | Skill Test | 100 | As decided by the evaluating experts | No (qualifying, 50 marks needed) |
Only shortlisted candidates who appear for the Main exam can take the Skill Test. The merit list includes only candidates who appear in both the Main exam and the Skill Test. Visually impaired, cerebral palsy and similarly placed PwBD candidates get 20 minutes extra per hour in the Preliminary and Main exams.
DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026
The DU Assistant preliminary exam pattern has 100 compulsory MCQs of 2 marks each, for a total of 200 marks in 2 hours 30 minutes. The section-wise DU prelims exam pattern for both posts is given below.
| Section | Senior Assistant | Assistant | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Knowledge | General Studies | 20 | 40 |
| B | Reasoning | Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| C | General Mathematical Ability | General Mathematical Ability | 20 | 40 |
| D | Administration of Higher Educational Institutions | Administration of Higher Educational Institutions | 40 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 200 | ||
The marking scheme for the DU preliminary test is shown below.
| Response | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct answer | +2 |
| Wrong answer | −0.5 |
| Unattempted | No negative marking is mentioned for unattempted questions |
Example: if you attempt 80 questions with 64 right and 16 wrong, your score is 64 × 2 − 16 × 0.5 = 128 − 8 = 120 out of 200.
DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Prelims Syllabus
The DU prelims syllabus is the same for both posts, except that Section A is called General Knowledge for Senior Assistant and General Studies for Assistant. The topic-wise syllabus is given below.
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge / General Studies (20 Qs) | General Science, current events of national and international importance, History of India, Indian National Movement, Constitution of India, Indian Polity, Economy and Geography |
| Reasoning (20 Qs) | Reasoning, analytical abilities, decision making, data analysis and interpretation |
| General Mathematical Ability (20 Qs) | Mathematical calculations, statistical analysis and commercial mathematics of Secondary and Higher Secondary level |
| Administration of Higher Educational Institutions (40 Qs) | Rules and policies on the functioning of Higher Educational Institutions in India, their nodal agencies, their financial and administrative functioning, and the Act, Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Delhi |
DU Preliminary Cut-off and Shortlisting Rules
The DU preliminary cut-off is not a fixed mark. It depends on how the top candidates perform. The rules for the DU Senior Assistant and Assistant cut-off and shortlisting are explained below.
- Qualifying cut-off: 50% of the average score of the top 5% of candidates who appeared. If the top 5% is fewer than 2 candidates, the average of the top 2 is used.
- Relaxation: 5% marks for SC / ST and 10% for PwBD in the cut-off.
- Example: if the average score of the top 5% is 150 out of 200, the general qualifying cut-off will be 50% of 150 = 75 marks.
After the cut-off, candidates are shortlisted for the Main exam on merit: 30 for the first post and 15 more for each additional post. Candidates with marks equal to the last shortlisted mark are also called. The shortlisting numbers are shown below.
| Number of posts | Candidates shortlisted for Main exam |
|---|---|
| 1 | 30 |
| 2 | 45 |
| 3 | 60 |
| 46 (Senior Assistant, total)* | 705 |
| 80 (Assistant, total)* | 1215 |
*These two rows are our calculation using the formula in the notice (30 + 15 × remaining posts) on the total vacancies. The notice does not say whether shortlisting is done on total or category-wise vacancies, so the actual numbers may differ.
DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Main Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The DU Main exam is a descriptive paper of 200 marks and 2 hours for both posts, and the final merit list is drawn from it. The DU Mains exam pattern and syllabus are given below.
| Part | Topics |
|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Management | Higher education system in India, its regulatory bodies and recent developments in the field; financial administration including budget formulation and execution; use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and other modern technologies in the University system |
| Functional aspects of Rules and their application in Higher Educational Institutions | Fundamental Rules, Supplementary Rules, General Financial Rules, procurement through GeM, pension and grievance handling |
The notice does not give separate marks for the two parts, the number of questions, or the word limit. Answers can be written in English or Hindi, but the same medium must be used throughout the recruitment.
DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Skill Test
The DU skill test is of 100 marks for both posts, and you need 50 marks to qualify. It is only qualifying, so its marks are not added to the merit. The skill areas for each post are listed below.
| Senior Assistant (ND0601) | Assistant (ND0401) |
|---|---|
| Management of administrative units of the University | Understanding of the Manual of Office Procedures |
| Understanding of the Manual of Office Procedures | Noting and Drafting |
| Knowledge of Information Technology | Proficiency in Computer Operations |
| Noting and Drafting | English typing at 35 wpm OR Hindi typing at 30 wpm |
The time for the skill test will be decided by the evaluating experts.
Extra Marks for DU Contract / Ad hoc Staff
Employees working on contract, ad hoc or temporary basis in the University of Delhi and its colleges get bonus marks in this recruitment. The rule from the Scheme of Examination is summarised below.
| Stage | Extra marks |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Test (for shortlisting) | 1 mark per year of service, maximum 10 marks |
| Final merit list | 1 mark per year of service, maximum 10 marks, added to the score |
This applies to such employees working in the University and its colleges as on 25.03.2021.
DU Senior Assistant vs Assistant Exam: Differences
Most of the DU exam is common to both posts, but there are a few differences. The table below compares the DU Senior Assistant and Assistant exams.
| Point | Senior Assistant | Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims Section A | General Knowledge | General Studies |
| Main exam part 2 (title) | Rules and their application in Higher Educational Institutions | Functional aspects of Rules and their application in Higher Educational Institutions |
| Skill test focus | Managing administrative units, IT knowledge | Typing speed (35 / 30 wpm), computer operations |
| Typing test | Not mentioned | Yes |
Preparation Tips for DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Exam
The DU Senior Assistant and Assistant exam is different from a regular clerk exam because 40% of the prelims and the whole Main exam are about university administration and government rules. Use these tips, based on the official syllabus:
- Read DU's own rules: the syllabus names the Act, Statutes and Ordinances of the University of Delhi, so read them from the DU website.
- Know the higher education system: regulatory and nodal bodies for higher education, their roles and recent developments.
- Study service and financial rules: Fundamental Rules, Supplementary Rules, General Financial Rules, GeM procurement, pension and grievance handling. These appear in the Main exam.
- Practise descriptive writing: the Main exam decides the merit, so practise writing clear, structured answers within time.
- Office procedures: learn noting and drafting and the Manual of Office Procedures for the skill test.
- Typing (Assistant): build speed to 35 wpm in English or 30 wpm in Hindi.
- Attempt carefully in prelims: with −0.5 for each wrong answer, avoid blind guessing.
DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Syllabus FAQs
Q1. What is the DU Assistant exam pattern 2026?
A Preliminary Test of 100 MCQs (200 marks, 2.5 hours) for shortlisting, a descriptive Main exam of 200 marks (2 hours) for merit, and a qualifying Skill Test of 100 marks.
Q2. Is there negative marking in the DU Senior Assistant exam?
Yes. In the Preliminary Test, 0.5 mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Each question carries 2 marks.
Q3. Are prelims marks counted in the final DU merit?
No. The Preliminary Test is only for shortlisting. The final merit is based on the Main exam (plus bonus marks for eligible DU contract staff).
Q4. What is the qualifying mark in the DU skill test?
50 out of 100. The skill test is qualifying only.
Q5. What typing speed is needed for the DU Assistant?
35 wpm in English or 30 wpm in Hindi.
Q6. Can I write the DU exam in Hindi?
Yes. All papers are bilingual (English and Hindi), but you must use the same language throughout.
Q7. How is the DU preliminary cut-off decided?
It is 50% of the average score of the top 5% of candidates, with 5% relaxation for SC / ST and 10% for PwBD.
DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Syllabus Important Links
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| DU Scheme of Examination and Syllabus PDF (Advt. 323) | Download PDF |
| DU Senior Assistant and Assistant Recruitment 2026 (full details) | Read Here |
| Official Website | www.du.ac.in |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Join Now |
| Join Telegram Channel | Join Now |
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Pradip Chakraborty is a Biology teacher with 6+ years in content writing, including 3.5+ years on government jobs and education. He checks every official notice and explains it in simple words for students and job seekers. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.