The boom in Hindi media has increased the popularity of the language — at least that is what the first cut-off list released by the Delhi University indicates. And members of various college faculties say the language is increasingly being seen as a vehicle for more job opportunities.

Compared to last year, the cut-off for admissions in almost all colleges has increased. While in IP College for Women it has increased from last year’s 64 per cent to 68 per cent, in Zakir Husain College it has increased from 60 per cent to 63 per cent.

Pragati Mohapatra, the admission convener of IP College, said: “The increase in Hindi news channels have encouraged more students to take up the subject. For students interested in media, Hindi is a good option.”

In Daulat Ram College, the cut-off has increased from 62 per cent to 63 per cent. The Public Relations Officer of the college, Ira Pundit, said there is a boom in Hindi media and the students will fill its requirement for writers and editors. “It is heartening to see the subject gaining more popularity over the years,” she said.

In Hindu College, the cut-off has increased from last year’s 73 per cent to 74 per cent for Humanities and 79 for Science. Senior lecturer Harvinder Kumar puts it down to improvement in syllabus. According to him, while earlier, 99 per cent emphasis was on literature, now the subject covers translation, journalism and other vocational topics.

“Over the last three years, the syllabus has improved and it now suits the market demand, so the demand for the subject has increased. When I had studied in DU in the ‘90s, the cut-off was just 60 per cent,” he said.

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