India, July 19 -- Theatre scripts in hand, voices trembling, and nerves just beneath the surface -- Delhi University's much-awaited Extracurricular Activities (ECA) trials for undergraduate admissions 2025-26 kicked off on Friday, marking the start of a week-long showcase of passion, talent and ambition.

At Miranda House, around 20 students gathered for the first day of the theatre trials, a category known for its intensity and unpredictability. From Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice to original student-written monologues, the performances reflected a wide spectrum of creativity.

"Each student was given five minutes. Language was no limitation, even though most students performed in Hindi and English," said one of the four judges there....