The mad rush to collect Delhi University admission forms on Wednesday allowed its administration to score brownie points in the debate over the controversial four-year undergraduate programme, which would be introduced this year.

On the first day, 42,816 forms were sold. Delhi University (DU) officials said 54,000 students would be admitted to 63 colleges in the new academic year.

“The overwhelming response from students has proved that there is no apprehension regarding the new system and they are excited as ever to get a seat here. Any doubt students have about the four-year undergraduate programme will fade away once they are in college. All arrangements have been made and things will fall in place soon,” said J.M. Khurana, dean, students’ welfare, DU. He is overseeing the admission process.

His claim was corroborated by the huge crowds, consisting of many hopefuls from Bihar, at the 18 designated counters across the national capital.

Since last year, the university has allowed applicants to download forms online. But the service is not very popular. Compared to last year when 12,000 forms were downloaded, this year just 5,500 students took advantage of the facility.

The number of hardcopy applications sold on the opening day increased from 30,000 last year to 37,256 this year.

The forms this year do not have the names of any college. The aspirants are only required to mark their desired courses on the form.

The university had also uploaded two mobile applications on its website on Tuesday. These can be accessed on smart phones, for information on the entire admission process.

“These apps have been created by DU students. Two are ready for use, while four others will be available on the website in a few days. Now, you can keep all the information you need in your pocket,” said Khurana.

Another senior DU official said: “There is special emphasis on ensuring that applicants are guided properly through the admission process. Every college is fully equipped to answer any query from the aspirants. Our website will have all the updates about the four-year undergraduate programme and the admission process. Individual volunteers will be there to help applicants and they can also call up DU’s information centre. In a first, decentralising admission process for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes and physically challenged candidates brings them many advantages. Aspirants had very little choice of college or courses in the centralised system. Now, they will be free to apply to any course. They will not be required to run around as we have kept a common optical mark recognition form for them.”

As the admission process for other courses began today, application for Bachelor of Elementary Education and Bachelor of Management Studies is drawing to a close. The admission process for both courses began last month. The registration for BMS and BEEd ends on June 10 and June 11, respectively.

Officials said both the courses have received good response, drawing thousands of applications within a week of the start of the process. About 13,000 applications have been received for the 840 seats on offer for BMS, while 3,500 aspirants have registered so far for BEEd. Applicants will be required to take entrance examinations for admission into both courses — on June 26 for BMS and June 23 for BEEd.