Why DU’s curriculum overhaul is raising concerns over academic transparency amid FYUP rollout
Delhi University (DU) has approved a major set of academic and infrastructural changes, including the introduction of the fourth year in undergraduate courses under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. While the administration claims readiness, sections of the university community have raised concerns about transparency, governance, and academic rigour linked to the curriculum changes.The approval came during a meeting of DU’s Executive Council, where several key proposals were passed. Among the most contested changes is the removal of content related to Pakistan, Islam, and China from the postgraduate Political Science syllabus — a move that has attracted criticism from within the university’s academic bodies.Controversial syllabus changes draw oppositionThe changes to the syllabus, initially cleared by the Academic Council on June 5, were formally approved by the Executive Council. Mithuraaj Dhusiya, a member of the Executive Council, objected to the manner in which the changes were implemented. He alleged that several courses were significantly altered before reaching the Academic Council, thereby bypassing standard academic procedure. As reported by the PTI, Dhusiya said this compromised transparency in curriculum development.Preparedness for FYUP and staffing concernsVice Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh chaired the Executive Council meeting and asserted that DU is “fully prepared” for the implementation of the fourth year under the FYUP beginning in the 2025–26 academic session. As quoted by the PTI, Singh said that more than 60 per cent of undergraduate students are expected to opt for the fourth year.In response to staffing concerns, Singh stated that only regular faculty will teach fourth-year students, while guest faculty may assist with teaching in lower years. According to the PTI, he also mentioned that regular teachers may take additional classes and that provision for adequate compensation would be made for both teaching and non-teaching staff.Major infrastructure projects underwayThe university has approved infrastructure projects worth approximately Rs 1,912.15 crore, with Rs 329 crore already released, according to updates shared at the meeting. These projects include the WUS Health Centre and a new computer centre in North Campus, as well as expansions to the science block and Social Centre School Building at Maurice Nagar.In South Campus, new academic buildings are planned, including one at the SP Jain parking area. Hostel projects have also been approved, including new accommodations for female students and working women at Dhaka campus, and expansions to existing hostels.Digital access and entrepreneurship initiativesProfessor Singh also highlighted recent digital upgrades. As reported by the PTI, he said that Wi-Fi infrastructure across the university has been upgraded at a cost of Rs 65.71 crore, and the university library is now fully digitised, giving students round-the-clock access to more than two lakh e-books and journals.College principals were encouraged to establish start-up incubators and register Section-8 companies to promote entrepreneurship among students.Additional initiatives and recognitionsOther decisions included a proposal to develop Dr B.R. Ambedkar Udyan in the Faculty of Social Sciences and to rename an auditorium in his honour. A committee has also been formed to explore the launch of a sports scholarship in memory of late Union minister and DU alumnus Arun Jaitley. The PTI reported that the committee will consult Jaitley’s family before finalising the proposal.Delhi University’s performance in the QS World University Rankings 2026 was also shared. DU has reached 30th position globally in employment outcomes, rising 14 spots, and now ranks seventh among Indian institutions with an overall global rank of 328.
