Notwithstanding the criticism of four-year undergraduate courses by University of Delhi, HRD minister M M Pallam Raju on Saturday said the programme is being introduced after questioning and receiving “satisfactory” answers from the vice chancellor of the varsity.

The minister said that after VC Dinesh Singh had responded to the concerns “with satisfaction”, the UGC has formed a panel which will monitor the implementation of the programme and may suggest other universities also to adopt it. “Lots of prominent people raised objections to the four-year course regarding its content. They also said it’s being implemented too fast. We took note of that and questioned the VC of Delhi University,” Raju told reporters here.

“But we are satisfied with his reply,” he said on the sidelines of the convocation of IIT-Guwahati. The VC said DU is ready to implement the new programme and that it should not be delayed further.

“We do not want to interfere in this. A university has its autonomy and they experiment with new methodology,” Raju said.

He added saying the minimum duration of any degree course should be of three years as per UGC guidelines.

Raju refuted the allegation that the course is being brought in without prior consultations.

“The academic council of the university had discussed the issue and approved it in 2008. It was again approved last year and then the executive council approved it. Finally, it went to the Senate,” he added.

Earlier this week, UGC had constituted an advisory committee to track the progress of the implementation of the four-year degree course and offer corrective advice on the issue of curriculum.

The registration for the four-year programme, which stirred controversy and drew strong opposition from a section in academia and political class, has already commenced.

Criticising Delhi University’s move, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley has demanded that the decision be deferred and extensive consultations be held among academicians before the switchover.

In a letter to Raju, Jaitley has raised certain questions on the move, pointing that the university has not taken all aspects and opinions into consideration before making the decision. 

The Left MPs had made representations to the Prime Minister and the President demanding the roll back of the plan to introduce the four-year degree course.