Dhemaji Commerce College

If you're looking for a government college in Upper Assam where you can get a solid, affordable commerce or arts degree without the chaos of a big city, Dhemaji Commerce College is a name that comes up. Established in 1982, it’s the district's specialized hub for commerce education, affiliated with Dibrugarh University and holding a NAAC 'B' grade accreditation. The campus is compact, quiet, and literally a five-minute walk from the Dhemaji Railway Station. But here’s the real deal: this isn't a placement-focused institute. It’s a launchpad. Students come here to build a strong academic foundation, often with the explicit goal of cracking government service exams or moving on to a master's degree elsewhere. The fees are negligible by national standards, and the faculty, particularly in commerce, is considered among the best in the region. Just don't expect corporate recruiters at the gate.

Dhemaji Commerce College — Quick Facts

• Location: Aradhal, Dhemaji, Assam. Pin-787057.
• Established: 1982 (Commerce stream). Arts added in 1989.
• Affiliation: Dibrugarh University.
• Accreditation: NAAC 'B' Grade (Cycle 2). UGC recognized under sections 2(f) & 12(B).
• Type: Provincialized (Government-aided under Govt. of Assam).
• Flagship Programs: B.Com (Honours/Non-Hons) and B.A. (Honours/Non-Hons).
• Annual Tuition Fee (B.Com/B.A.): ~₹4,500 to ₹6,000.
• Campus Placement: Minimal to non-existent. Focus is on competitive exam preparation and higher studies.

Courses and Academic Programs at Dhemaji Commerce College

The college has fully transitioned to the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) under NEP 2020. That means more flexibility with minors and vocational courses baked into the degree. The B.Com program is the main draw, with an intake of 250-300 students and majors in Accountancy, Banking & Monetary Management, and Business Management. The B.A. program, with about 300 seats, offers a standard spread of Assamese, English, Economics, Education, Political Science, Sociology, Philosophy, and History.

Beyond the degrees, they run a 1-year Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) and serve as a study center for IGNOU and Dibrugarh University's distance learning programs. The vocational wing is surprisingly active, offering everything from a Diploma in Electronics to short-term certificates in Tally, office automation, and even new 2024 add-ons like Sericulture Farming and Handloom Weaving. The faculty roster is around 40 permanent members, with about a dozen holding PhDs. They follow the Dibrugarh University semester calendar, and by all student accounts, the teachers are accessible and knowledgeable.

Dhemaji Commerce College Placements: Packages, Companies & Reality Check

Let's be blunt. If you're reading this section hoping for average package figures or a list of Fortune 500 recruiters, you're looking at the wrong college. As a provincialized institution in a rural district, on-campus corporate recruitment is virtually non-existent. The college doesn't publish a "highest" or "average" package because those metrics simply don't apply here.

The so-called "Career Guidance and Placement Cell" functions differently. Its real job is to organize workshops on how to crack the APSC, banking exams, SSC, or NET. It’s about government jobs, not corporate ones. The most common paths for graduates are pursuing an M.Com or MBA (usually from a university in Guwahati or beyond) or dedicating themselves fully to competitive exam preparation. Under NEP 2020, internships are now mandatory, and the college formed a dedicated Internship Cell in April 2024 to try and build ties with local businesses and government offices. That's a step, but it's for experience, not pre-placement offers.

The student reviews are unanimous on this point. One typical sentiment sums it up: "The college is great for finishing your degree with good marks because teachers actually help, but don't expect any company to come and give you a job." If campus placement is your top priority, you'll need to look at colleges in Guwahati or other major cities.

Fees and Financial Aid at Dhemaji Commerce College

This is where the college shines for students from the region. The fees are heavily subsidized by the Government of Assam. For the regular B.Com or B.A. programs, you're looking at an annual tuition fee in the ballpark of ₹4,500 to ₹6,000. Under the state's "Fee Waiver Scheme," students whose parental income is below ₹2 lakh per annum pay nothing.

Add in hostel fees (₹6,000 - ₹8,000 per year for the girls' hostel, excluding food) and other incidentals, and the total cost for a three-year degree for a non-waiver student is shockingly low—somewhere between ₹18,000 and ₹25,000. That's for the entire degree. Self-financed courses like the PGDCA cost more, around ₹5,000 - ₹8,000 per semester. Scholarships are widely available, including Post-Matric scholarships for SC/ST/OBC students, the UGC's Ishan Uday scheme for the North East, and various state merit scholarships. Financially, it's one of the most accessible higher education options in Assam.

Admissions: Eligibility, Cutoffs & Selection Process

Admission is straightforward and entirely merit-based. There are no entrance exams. Your ticket in is your Class 12 (HSSLC) marksheet. The process is now centralized through the Assam government's online portals: SAMARTH Assam for degree courses and DARPAN for higher secondary.

Cutoffs aren't sky-high, but they're not trivial either for the popular subjects. For the 2024 session, the cutoff for B.Com Honours hovered around 55-60% for the general category. For B.A. Honours, it ranged from 50-60%, with subjects like Political Science and Sociology being particularly competitive. The process is transparent: apply online, wait for the merit list to be published, and then complete physical document verification at the college. It's a system that rewards good board exam performance.

Campus, Hostels and Student Life

The campus is compact, green, and described by students as peaceful—a decent environment to focus on studies. The infrastructure is a mixed bag, which is typical for older government colleges. The library is a genuine strength, with over 28,000 physical books and, crucially, digital membership to the N-LIST (INFLIBNET) program, giving students access to thousands of e-journals and e-books. That's a significant academic resource.

On the flip side, some classrooms are old and can get uncomfortably warm in the summer. There's a computer lab with 20-30 systems, a language lab, and a few smart classrooms. For sports, there's a playground for football/cricket and basic indoor facilities. Students also get access to the nearby Dhemaji District Sports Association (DDSA) stadium for bigger events. The canteen is functional but basic—think tea, snacks, and simple meals. The 1000-capacity auditorium is used for events and exams.

Hostel availability is the biggest infrastructure constraint. The college officially only has a girls' hostel with 64 seats. Admission is competitive, based on merit and distance from home. For male students, there is no on-campus hostel. They typically rent private PG accommodations in the Aradhal area near the college and railway station.

Student Reviews: What Dhemaji Commerce College Alumni Really Think

Scouring platforms like CollegeDunia and Shiksha, along with local student groups, reveals a clear and consistent consensus. The positives are strong but specific. Students consistently praise the teaching faculty, calling them qualified, dedicated, and approachable. The commerce department, in particular, is held in high regard. The value for money is unbeatable, and the campus atmosphere is considered conducive to studying without the distractions of a big city.

And then there are the acknowledged drawbacks. The placement situation is the number one critique, repeated in every review. The college makes no false promises here, but students are blunt about the need to leave for job opportunities. Infrastructure gaps, like some dilapidated classrooms and the very limited canteen menu, are common complaints. The lack of a boys' hostel is a significant practical hurdle for many. The verdict from the student body is clear: it's an excellent choice for a low-cost, quality academic foundation, but it's not a professional finishing school.

Verdict: Is Dhemaji Commerce College Worth It?

Dhemaji Commerce College serves a specific purpose exceptionally well. It's worth it if you are a student from Dhemaji or neighboring districts in Upper Assam looking for an affordable, reputable government college to complete your B.Com or B.A. degree. It's ideal if your plan is to build a strong academic record here and then move on—either to a master's program at a larger university or into dedicated preparation for state and central government exams. The faculty is a real asset, and the cost is almost negligible.

However, you should probably look elsewhere if your primary goal is campus placements in multinational companies, if you desire a vibrant metropolitan campus life with endless amenities, or if you need guaranteed on-campus hostel accommodation as a male student. This college is a pragmatic stepping stone, not a destination. For the right student—one with clear plans for competitive exams or further study—it represents one of the best value propositions in the region. For others, its limitations might feel too constraining. Check their official website at http://www.dhemajicommercecollege.edu.in for the latest notices and the academic calendar.