Delhi UniversityThe decision to revise the fourth-year credit structure of the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) has triggered opposition from various sections of the teaching community. Faculty representatives claimed that the changes were made without the approval of the university’s statutory bodies. Teachers also expressed concerns about the impact of the revised framework on academic standards, student workloads and teacher responsibilities.The objections came after the university on Friday issued a notification revising the allotment of credits in the fourth year of the Four-Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP). The revised structure will be implemented starting in the 2026-27 academic year.
What changes has Delhi University introduced?
Under the revised framework, the university has increased thesis credits from six to 10 while reducing the number of subject-specific core (DSC) papers.As per the notification, courses listed under DSC for seventh and eighth semester of all UG courses under UGCF 2022 may now be transferred to the Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) pool.In addition to academic courses, students entering their fourth year are now required to choose three courses each semester in their seventh and eighth semesters. They can choose three DSEs, two DSEs and one general elective (GE), or one DSE and two GEs.
Teachers question decision-making process
The revised framework drew criticism from several faculty representatives, who claimed that the university had proposed the changes without submitting the proposals to the Academic Council and Executive Council, the statutory bodies responsible for approving major academic decisions.Rajesh Jha Mishra, a member of the academic council, said the university had ignored established procedures while implementing a major academic reorganization, PTI reported.PTI quoted Mishra as saying: “The university is pushing for a radical reorganization of the UGCF through a notification from the registrar, completely bypassing the academic council and executive committee and completely ignoring due process. This decision will place an unrealistic burden on fourth-year students.”Executive committee member Mithuraaj Dhusiya also criticized what he called a “top-down approach” to introducing the changes.Dhusiya said such important academic reforms should be discussed by the statutory bodies of the universities, PTI reported. He further argued that replacing required core papers with electives could undermine the quality of education while reducing the steady academic workload of departments and faculty.
DTF flags concerns over workload and academic quality
The Delhi Teachers’ Front (DTF) also opposed the revised framework and questioned why the university did not hold an academic council or executive committee meeting before issuing the notification.DTF secretary Abha Dev Habib said reducing the subject-specific core paper, which is the only compulsory subject in the fourth year, could weaken the academic foundation of students, PTI reported. She also believes that increasing thesis credits from six to 10 would put additional pressure on students without ensuring adequate academic support.Habib further claimed that teachers are required to supervise up to 10 thesis students in addition to their daily teaching duties. She warned the revised framework could significantly increase teachers’ workload while increasing pressure on students.
The university has not yet responded
Delhi University has yet to respond publicly to objections raised by teachers’ organizations and elected teachers’ representatives. The revised fourth-year credit structure is scheduled to take effect in the 2026-27 academic year.(Inputs from PTI)
