DU modifies 4-yr UG course, 'ignores' UGC

The Delhi University (DU) in its Academic Council meeting on Saturday didn’t pay heed to the University Grants Commission (UGC) directive to withdraw with immediate effect the controversial four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) introduced last year.

Instead, the varsity said it has made “modifications” to the programme to conform to the National Policy on Education that advocates a 10+2+3 format. However, it didn’t say what the modifications were. In an order issued to the university on Friday, the UGC had asked the DU to revert to the “three-year structure which was prevalent” prior to introduction of the FYUP.

“The Academic Council noted that students seeking admission to the DU’s undergraduate programme would be admitted into the three-year Bachelor’s Degree Programme (BA/BSc/BCom) in their Discipline-1 (major subject), and would graduate with the corresponding degree on the completion of three years, which would be in conformity with the National Policy on Education,” said the university.

Honours degrees, the university maintained, would be awarded in the fourth year—an “optional year”. Prior to introduction of the one-year-old FYUP, the students had an option to go for an Honours degree in three years.