DU Fresher Orientation & Induction Week 2026: What to Expect, What to Carry & How to Prepare

The 2026-27 academic session at Delhi University officially commenced on July 28, 2026, and colleges across North and South Campus have been conducting department-wise orientation and induction programmes throughout late July and early August. If you have been allotted a seat through CSAS and completed your document verification and fee payment, your next milestone is the Fresher Orientation & Induction Week.

Whether you are joining Hindu College, Hansraj, Miranda House, Ramjas, LSR, or any other constituent college, this 4,000-word guide covers everything you need to know: what orientation actually involves, what documents and items to carry on Day 1, how to set up your SAMARTH student portal, library card registration, and a complete first-week survival checklist.

1. What Happens During Orientation Week?

DU orientation is not a single event — it is a structured 3 to 5-day induction programme organized at the college level. The University Grants Commission (UGC) mandates that all higher education institutions conduct a formal Student Induction Programme (SIP) for new entrants.

1.1 Typical Orientation Schedule

2. What to Carry on Day 1: The Complete Checklist

Many freshers show up on Day 1 without critical documents and miss important registration steps. Here is your definitive packing list:

2.1 Documents (Physical + Digital Copies)

• CSAS Allotment Letter (Printout from admission.uod.ac.in)
• Fee Payment Receipt (Online payment confirmation)
• Class 10 Marksheet & Certificate (Original + 2 photocopies)
• Class 12 Marksheet & Certificate (Original + 2 photocopies)
• CUET UG 2026 Scorecard (Original + 2 photocopies)
• Category Certificate — SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS (Original + 2 photocopies, if applicable)
• Migration Certificate from previous board (Original)
• Character Certificate from last attended school/college (Original)
• Passport-size photographs (6 copies, white background, formal attire)
• Aadhaar Card (for identity verification)
• Medical Fitness Certificate (some colleges require this for hostel/sports eligibility)

2.2 Essential Items

• College ID Card (if already issued during document verification) or temporary slip
• Notebook and pen for orientation session notes
• Water bottle and light snacks (orientation sessions can run 3-4 hours)
• Comfortable footwear for campus tour
• Fully charged mobile phone (for SAMARTH portal OTP verification)

3. SAMARTH Student Portal: First-Time Login & Course Registration

SAMARTH is the official ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) portal used by Delhi University for student administration. Your academic life — from course registration to exam hall tickets to SGPA marksheets — is managed through this system.

3.1 First-Time Login Steps

1. Visit samarth.du.ac.in and click on "Student Login".
2. Enter your DU Enrollment Number (issued after document verification) and registered mobile number.
3. Complete OTP verification and set your permanent password.
4. Upload a digital photograph (same specifications as passport photo: 3.5cm x 4.5cm, white background, JPEG format under 200KB).
5. Verify your personal details, academic records, and contact information.

3.2 GE/SEC/VAC Course Registration Window

During the first 2 weeks of the semester, the SAMARTH portal opens a course registration window where you must select your Generic Elective (GE), Skill Enhancement Course (SEC), and Value Addition Course (VAC) for Semester I.

4. Library Card Registration & Digital Resources

Your college library is your most valuable academic resource. During orientation week, the library staff conducts a formal registration drive.

• College Library Card: Issued after submitting 2 passport photos and your enrollment number to the college librarian. Allows borrowing 3-5 books at a time.
• Central Library (North Campus) Card: Economics Honours and PG students should also register for the DU Central Library at Arts Faculty for access to JSTOR, EBSCO, and ProQuest databases.
• N-LIST Access: Free e-resource access to 6,000+ academic journals and 1,99,500+ e-books through the INFLIBNET N-LIST programme. Register at nlist.inflibnet.ac.in using your institutional email.

5. Anti-Ragging Awareness & Safety Protocols

UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging, 2009 mandate that every fresher must:

1. Submit an online Anti-Ragging Affidavit (both student and parent/guardian) at antiragging.in.
2. Carry a printed copy of the affidavit to submit to the college Anti-Ragging Squad during orientation.
3. Save the UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline number: 1800-180-5522 (Toll-Free, 24/7).

6. First-Week Survival Tips from Seniors

• Explore the campus: Walk to all departments, locate the photocopy shop, canteen, common room, and washrooms before classes start.
• Join your batch WhatsApp/Telegram group: Seniors typically create batch groups during orientation — join immediately for timetable updates, notes sharing, and event announcements.
• Attend ALL orientation sessions: Even sessions that seem boring (library tour, ICC orientation) contain critical information about examination rules and internal assessment policies.
• Start SAMARTH registration early: Do not wait until the last day of the course registration window.

For more detailed guides, read our DU First Year Survival Guide 2026 and GE/SEC/VAC Course Selection Guide.