About Master of Science [M.Sc]
St Stephen’s College offers Master of Science programmes in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Operational Research as 2-year full-time degrees under the University of Delhi. Seats per specialisation are limited to 4 to 5 annually, making it one of the most selective MSc intakes among DU colleges. Admission is through CUET PG followed by a college-level interview. The college holds NAAC A++ accreditation and is ranked first among all science colleges in Delhi by The Week 2026.
📋 Admission Status: Admissions expected to open April 2027 (Tentative).
Key Points
- Physics intake is capped at 4 seats and Mathematics at 5 seats per year, among the most restricted MSc intakes in the Delhi University system.
- MSc Operational Research is a rare specialisation in the DU system, combining optimisation, statistics, and mathematical modelling.
- Science MSc graduates from St Stephen’s are eligible to appear for CSIR-UGC NET and GATE, the primary entry routes into funded research fellowships.
St Stephen’s College MSc Fees 2026
The MSc fee structure follows the University of Delhi PG framework with a college-level component. Students should verify the current fee at the DU CSAS portal or the college office before admission.
| Course Name | Seats | Total Fees (2 Years) |
|---|---|---|
| MSc Physics | 4 | Not Disclosed |
| MSc Chemistry | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
| MSc Mathematics | 5 | Not Disclosed |
| MSc Operational Research | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
- Check fees at the official DU CSAS portal.
- Fee amounts may vary year to year.
St Stephen’s College MSc Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CUET PG 2026 Exam | 6 March to 27 March 2026 |
| DU CSAS PG Application Window | 15 May to 4 July 2026 |
| DU PG Merit List Released | 21 July 2026 |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 23 July 2026 |
- All dates above were for the 2026 cycle and have passed.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Bachelor’s degree in the relevant science discipline with a minimum of 55 percent marks (50 percent for SC/ST/OBC/PWD).
- Valid CUET PG 2026 score registered through NTA and applied via the DU CSAS PG portal at pgadmission.uod.ac.in.
- Shortlisted candidates must clear a college-conducted interview (15 percent weight) before final admission.
Admission Process
- Register for CUET PG at the NTA portal and appear in the relevant science subject.
- Apply on the DU CSAS PG portal and list St Stephen’s College as a preference for the chosen MSc specialisation.
- The college shortlists candidates above the CUET PG threshold and holds an interview (15 percent of final merit).
- Final merit is 85 percent CUET PG score plus 15 percent interview score. Pay fees online to confirm the seat.
St Stephen’s College MSc vs Other Colleges
Here is how St Stephen’s College MSc compares with similar Delhi University science colleges on fees, entrance exams, cutoff, and placements.
| College | Fees | Exams | Cutoff | Salary | CD Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Stephen’s College | Not Disclosed | CUET PG | 113 to 175 CUET PG (General, 2025) | INR 6 LPA (Median PG, 2025) | 4.3/5 |
| Miranda House | 32.1K (2 yrs) | CUET PG | 108 to 192 CUET PG (General, 2025) | INR 8.97 LPA (Avg, 2024) | 4.2/5 |
| Hindu College | 46.1K (2 yrs) | CUET PG | 130 to 185 CUET PG (General, 2025) | INR 9.5 LPA (Median UG, 2025) | 4.2/5 |
| Lady Shri Ram College | Not Disclosed | CUET PG | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | 4.3/5 |
✓ Opt for this if
- You want a science MSc with very small cohort sizes and intensive faculty supervision.
- You plan to pursue CSIR-UGC JRF, a PhD, or a research career after MSc.
- MSc Operational Research is your target as it is rare in the DU college system.
✗ Skip if
- You need a broader range of science specialisations such as Botany, Zoology, or Statistics.
- Confirmed lower fees at Miranda House or Hindu College are a deciding factor.
- You want corporate placement support directly from the MSc programme.
St Stephen’s College MSc Placement 2026
The 2025 placement season placed 2 out of 16 postgraduate students through the cell with a median package of INR 6 LPA. Science MSc graduates from St Stephen’s primarily pursue CSIR-UGC JRF or GATE-funded research positions, PhD programmes, or faculty roles rather than corporate recruitment.
| Placement Metric | Value (2025) |
|---|---|
| Students Placed via Cell (PG) | 2 out of 16 |
| Median Package (PG) | INR 6 LPA |
| College Highest Package (Overall) | INR 24.5 LPA |
- PG placement data covers all postgraduate programmes combined.
St Stephen’s College MSc Scholarships 2026
Science MSc students at St Stephen’s College can access government fellowships and college-level financial support.
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| INSPIRE Scholarship (DST) | INR 60,000/year | Top performers in science at bachelor’s level | Per DST notification |
| SC/ST Merit Scholarship (Delhi Govt.) | Up to INR 24,000/year | SC/ST students with merit | 31 May each year |
| EWS Fee Concession (DU/UGC) | Concession on academic fee | EWS candidates with income certificate | At time of admission |
- Verify eligibility and deadlines with the college office.
St Stephen’s College MSc FAQs
Ques. How does the 85/15 scoring work for MSc admission at St Stephen’s College?
Ans. The college shortlists candidates based on CUET PG scores and then holds a college interview carrying 15 percent of the final merit. The remaining 85 percent comes from the CUET PG score. A strong interview can marginally offset a lower CUET PG score, but candidates far below the shortlisting threshold are not called for the interview at all. The interview tests subject knowledge and analytical reasoning in the chosen science specialisation.
Ques. Why are MSc seat numbers at St Stephen’s College so low, and does this benefit students?
Ans. St Stephen’s deliberately maintains small science MSc cohorts, with 4 seats in Physics and 5 in Mathematics. This gives each student dedicated lab access, close faculty mentoring, and individual attention that larger DU colleges cannot provide. For students planning CSIR-UGC JRF preparation or PhD applications, this intensive environment is a genuine advantage over programmes with 20 to 30 seats where individual faculty time is much more limited.
Ques. Is MSc Operational Research from St Stephen’s College useful for a career in data analytics?
Ans. MSc Operational Research covers optimisation, linear programming, simulation, and statistics, all directly relevant to data analytics and quantitative finance. It is one of the few DU colleges offering this at the MSc level. Graduates have entered analytics firms, consulting, and financial services alongside research positions. If quantitative problem-solving is your goal, this is a genuinely differentiated MSc within the Delhi University system.
Ques. Can St Stephen’s College MSc graduates directly apply for the CSIR-UGC JRF examination?
Ans. Yes. MSc Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics graduates from St Stephen’s are eligible to appear for the CSIR-UGC NET examination to qualify for the Junior Research Fellowship or Lectureship. The JRF provides a monthly stipend and is one of the main routes into funded doctoral research in India. St Stephen’s DU affiliation and MSc degree fully meet CSIR-UGC NET registration requirements in the relevant science subjects.
Ques. What CUET PG score is typically needed to be shortlisted for the MSc interview at St Stephen’s?
Ans. Based on 2025 data, the CUET PG closing score for MSc at St Stephen’s ranged from 113 to 175 out of 300 across specialisations. Physics and Mathematics had higher cutoffs while Operational Research was comparatively more accessible. Given the very small seat numbers, targeting a score of 160 or above and preparing thoroughly for the subject interview is recommended for a realistic chance at admission.