B.Com General vs Honours: Admission Criteria Explained
While the selection of students for B.Com General is typically based on Class 12th marks, a B.Com (Hons) course demand aspirants to qualify certain entrance exams, like CUET and others. Know the differences between B.Com General vs Hons. here.
After completing 12th class, Commerce students often have confusions regarding whether they want to opt for a B.Com General course or a B.Com Honours course. B.Com General and B.Com Honours have key differences. Each course has varying admission mode, selection criteria, cutoff marks and area of focus. Understanding the difference between the B.Com (General) and the B.Com (Honours) — especially in terms of the admission process, enables you to decide which programme fits your career plan better in case you're thinking about CA, CS, or MBA later. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the key differences between the admission processes of B.Com General vs. B.Com Honours.
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B.Com (General) vs B.Com (Honours): Key Differences, Eligibility, Focus Area
Before we move to the admission criteria, highlighted below are the major differences between B.Com General and B.Com Honours in terms of areas of innterest, eligibility, career options, cutoff marks etc.Key Aspect | B.Com (General) | B.Com (Honours) |
Name of the Degree | Bachelor of Commerce | Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) |
Area of Focus | Offers a broad overview of commerce subjects (Accounting, Economics, Business Studies). | Provides an in-depth specialization in Accounting, Finance, or Management. |
General Duration | 3 years | 3 years (but with a more intensive curriculum) |
Entrance Exams (if any) | Usually doesn't require any entrance exam | CUET-UG, NMIMS NPAT, Christ University Test, Symbiosis SET, IPU CET etc. |
Admission Mode | Usually merit-based on Class 12 marks. | Entrance-based or merit-based, depending on the university. |
Cut-off Marks | Lower (typically 45–65%) | Higher (typically 80–95%) |
Selection Basis | Direct merit (aggregate marks). | Entrance score or high merit cut-offs. |
Eligibility | Pass in Class 12 (any stream, preferably Commerce). | Minimum 50–60% in Class 12 with Commerce/Maths/Economics subjects preferred. |
Colleges Offering | State and private colleges (Delhi College of Arts & Commerce, Loyola College, Mumbai University). | Central and top private universities (SRCC, Christ University, NMIMS, St. Xavier’s). |
Career Expansion | Suitable for CA/CS aspirants looking for flexibility. | Better for higher studies (MBA, M.Com, CFA etc.) or corporate finance roles. |
B.Com (General) Admission Process: Selection Criteria, Colleges, Application
Students seeking admission into B.Com (General) course can get an overview of the admission criteria, application process, probable colleges and so on here.1. Online Application
Apply online via college/university admission portals (such as DU, Mumbai University, Calcutta University, etc.). No entrance exam is required in the majority of cases.
2. Selection Criteria
Based purely upon Class 12 marks (aggregate or “best of four” subjects). Some universities may consider Commerce subject weightage.
3. Admission Timeline
While the admission timeline varies for different colleges, the tentative months for various admission events have been mentioned below.Forms are usually made available from May–June on various college portals
Cut-off or merit list typically release by the end of June–July
College-wise counselling rounds for admission begin typically in July–August
Colleges Offering B.Com General Course
Listed below are some of the popular colleges where students can apply for B.Com General program.Also Check - Merit vs Entrance-based B.Com Admissions in India 2026
B.Com (Honours) Admission Process: Application, Exam Timeline, Selection Criteria
Students who are interested in pursuing a B.Com (Hons) degree can check below the selection criteria, applciation process and tentative examination timeline to stay prepared.1. Online Application
Apply via either the university portal or entrance exam website. Some universities accept CUET-UG or institute-specific exams.
2. Selection Criteria
Based upon entrance exam performance (CUET, NPAT, SET, Christ CUET, IPU CET) or high merit cut-off (DU, Calcutta Univ.). Some colleges may include personal interviews or group discussions.
3. Admission Timeline
The admission timeline for B.Com (Honours) program usually spans from February through August. This also includes the period when most of the entrance exams take place.-
Online applications for various entrance exams open between February and April
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Major entrance exams, like CUET typically take place around April–June
- Merit list based on entrance exam scores gets published followed by counselling registratino and admission rounds from June to August
Colleges Offering B.Com Honours Porgrams
Take a look at the top colleges in India offering B.Com (Hons) based on entrance exam scores.NMIMS, Mumbai (via NPAT)
B.Com General vs. B.Com Honours: Which Course Offers Better Career Prospects?
Comparing B.Com General vs Honours, it can be said that the later is a better option if you are looking for better career growth and opportunities.Motive | Recommended Courses | Significance |
MBA, M.Com, or CFA later | B.Com (Honours) | Strong academic depth and specialization. |
CA / CS / CMA preparation | B.Com (General) or B.Com (Professional) | Easier schedule, more time for coaching. |
Government exams (Banking, SSC, UPSC) | B.Com (General) | Balanced syllabus and time flexibility. |
Corporate jobs in finance/accounting | B.Com (Honours) | Preferred by recruiters and postgraduate programs. |
After going through this article, it can be stated that B.Com Honours and B.Com General leads to different pathways such as higher education and corporate jobs in various fields. While B.Com General offers a broad overview of commerce suitable for students looking to explore government and banking jobs, B.Com (Hons) deals with a more specialized study of areas, such as accounting, finance etc., ideal for higher studies and more specific career pathways.
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