St. Stephen’s College, one of the most prestigious institutions under Delhi University, releases its cutoff based on CUET (Common University Entrance Test) scores through the CSAS admission process. The cutoff represents the minimum score required for admission into various undergraduate programs such as B.A. (Hons.) and B.Sc. (Hons.).
For the academic session 2026–27, the cutoff has reached exceptionally high levels, reflecting intense competition among top-performing students across India. The college follows a combination of CUET scores and additional selection criteria (like interviews for minority seats), making its cutoff slightly different from other DU colleges.
The 2026 cutoff trends indicate that candidates must score above 850–920 (normalized scores out of 1000) for top courses like English, History, and Economics. This makes St. Stephen’s one of the highest cutoff colleges in India.
St. Stephen’s College Cutoff 2026 (Course-wise – Round 1)
Below is an approximate overview of the 2026 CUET cutoff scores for popular courses (General Category):
| Course | Cutoff Score (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| B.A. (Hons.) English | 926–927 |
| B.A. (Hons.) History | 918–922 |
| B.A. (Hons.) Economics | 890–905 |
| B.A. Programme | 920+ |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Mathematics | 830–840 |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Physics | 570–590 |
| B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry | 550+ |
These scores are based on Round 1 allocation and may vary slightly in subsequent rounds.
Key Insight:
- Humanities courses have the highest cutoffs (900+)
- Science courses have relatively lower cutoffs but are still competitive
- Even reserved category cutoffs remain significantly high
Expected Cutoff Range for 2026 (All Courses)
Based on expert predictions and trends:
- Overall cutoff range: 500 to 935 marks
- Top courses (General): 770–780 minimum, 900+ for top programs
- B.A. (Hons.) History expected: 775–782 (minimum competitive range)
This shows that while minimum eligibility may start lower, actual admission requires extremely high scores.
Category-wise Cutoff Trends 2026
St. Stephen’s follows reservation norms, and cutoffs differ across categories:
- General (UR): Highest (900+ for top courses)
- OBC: Slightly lower than UR
- SC/ST: Moderately lower but still competitive
- EWS: Mid-range variation
Example:
- B.A. (Hons.) Economics (SC): ~726
- B.Sc. Mathematics (SC): ~651
Even reserved category students need strong CUET scores to secure admission.
Comparison: St. Stephen’s Cutoff 2026 vs 2025 vs 2024
1. Cutoff Trend Comparison Table
| Year | English (Hons.) | Economics (Hons.) | BA Programme | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ~770–788 (out of 800 raw CUET) | ~780+ | ~770–780 | Moderate |
| 2025 | ~926.93 (normalized) | ~900+ | ~920+ | Sharp increase |
| 2026 | ~926–930 | ~890–905 | ~920+ | Stable at peak |
Sources indicate that 2025 saw a major jump due to normalized CUET scores, and 2026 continues at similar high levels.
2. Detailed Comparison Analysis
- 2024: Cutoffs were expressed out of 800, and top programs required ~780 marks.
- 2025: Introduction of normalized scoring (out of 1000) pushed cutoffs above 900.
- 2026: Cutoffs remain consistently high, indicating stabilization at peak competition levels.
Conclusion:
There is no major drop in merit, and St. Stephen’s continues to demand top percentile scores.
Factors Affecting St. Stephen’s Cutoff 2026
Several factors influence the cutoff each year:
1. CUET Difficulty Level
If the exam is easier, cutoffs increase due to higher average scores.
2. Number of Applicants
More applicants → higher competition → higher cutoff.
3. Course Popularity
Courses like English, Economics, and History always have higher cutoffs.
4. Normalization Process
CUET normalization adjusts scores across shifts, leading to inflated top scores.
5. Limited Seats
St. Stephen’s has limited intake, increasing competition significantly.
St. Stephen’s vs Other DU Colleges (2026)
- St. Stephen’s consistently ranks among top 3 DU colleges
- Cutoffs are higher than most colleges except Hindu College
- Requires 850+ scores even for consideration
This makes it one of the most competitive colleges under Delhi University.
Admission Process After Cutoff 2026
Students must follow these steps:
- Appear for CUET UG 2026
- Register on DU CSAS Portal
- Fill college and course preferences
- Check seat allocation list
- Accept seat within deadline
- Complete document verification
Where St. Stephen’s Stands in 2026
St. Stephen’s College continues to be among the top 2–3 colleges in Delhi University, competing closely with Hindu College and Miranda House. The CUET 2026 cutoff shows that St. Stephen’s remains one of the most competitive colleges in India, especially for humanities courses.
- BA (Hons.) English: ~917–926+
- BA (Hons.) History: ~922+
- Economics: ~870–900
These scores clearly place it at top-tier level (900+ zone) among DU colleges.
Comparison with Top DU Colleges (2026 Expected Range)
| College | Top Course | Cutoff Range (CUET 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| St. Stephen’s College | BA English | 916–936 |
| Hindu College | Pol. Science | 925–945 |
| Miranda House | Pol. Science | 915–935 |
| LSR College | Psychology | 916–936 |
Data shows all top DU colleges have very narrow cutoff gaps (±10 marks)
Key Insight
- St. Stephen’s is equal to LSR & Miranda House
- Slightly below or equal to Hindu College in some courses
- Still among top 3 DU colleges overall
St. Stephen’s Cutoff Trend (2023–2026)
| Year | English (Hons.) | Economics | Mathematics | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ~770/800 | ~754 | ~754 | CUET initial phase |
| 2024 | ~782/800 | ~760+ | ~762 | Slight rise |
| 2025 | 926.93/1000 | ~870 | ~834 | Big jump |
| 2026 | 917–930 | ~870–900 | ~835–850 | Stable |
Shift from 800 → 1000 marks system caused major jump in 2025
Trend Analysis (5–6 Line Explanation)
The cutoff trend of St. Stephen’s College shows a sharp rise after CUET normalization changes in 2025, where scores shifted from 800 to 1000 scale. Before 2025, cutoffs appeared lower but were equally competitive in percentage terms. In 2026, the cutoff has stabilized at peak levels, especially for humanities courses.
Another key observation is that science courses show slower growth, while arts programs consistently dominate. The competition remains extremely high due to limited seats and national-level applicants. Overall, St. Stephen’s cutoff trend reflects sustained elite-level competition without any decline.
CUET Score Predictor for St. Stephen’s (2026)
Based on Your Score (General Category)
| CUET Score | Admission Chance |
|---|---|
| 950+ | Guaranteed (Top courses) |
| 920–940 | Very High (English, History) |
| 880–920 | Good (Economics, BA Prog) |
| 820–880 | Possible (Maths, lower rounds) |
| 750–820 | Low (Try other DU colleges) |
| Below 750 | Not possible |
For top courses, target at least 920+
Category-wise Safe Score (Approx)
- General: 900+ (Top courses)
- OBC: 850–880
- SC/ST: 650–750
2026 vs 2025 Merit Comparison
2025
- English: 926.93
- Economics: ~870
- Maths: ~834
2026
- English: 917–930
- History: ~922
- Maths: 835–850
What Changed? (5–6 Line Analysis)
The difference between 2025 and 2026 cutoffs is very minimal, indicating stability at high competition levels. While 2025 saw a major spike due to normalization, 2026 reflects a plateau phase where scores remain consistently high. Minor variations are due to paper difficulty and seat allocation rounds, not a drop in merit.
Interestingly, science courses show slight increase, while humanities remain saturated. This means competition is spreading across streams. Overall, 2026 confirms that St. Stephen’s cutoff has reached its peak zone and is unlikely to fall significantly.
Final Conclusion
St. Stephen’s College Cutoff 2026 clearly proves that admission requires top 1–2% CUET performance. Compared to previous years:
- 2024 → Moderate
- 2025 → Huge jump
- 2026 → Stable at peak
If you are targeting St. Stephen’s, aim for:
920+ for Arts courses
850+ for Science courses
Conclusion
The St. Stephen’s College Cutoff 2026 reflects extreme academic competition, with top courses demanding scores above 900. Compared to previous years, the cutoff has stabilized at a very high level after the introduction of CUET normalization in 2025.
Students aiming for admission must target top percentile scores (95%+ equivalent) and carefully plan their CUET preparation and preference filling strategy. With limited seats and high demand, St. Stephen’s continues to remain one of the most prestigious and competitive colleges in India.
About The Author
