FYUP scrapped, Delhi University to begin 3-year course admissions

The controversial four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) of the Delhi University has been scrapped.

DU, in a letter to the University Grants Commission (UGC), said that it would start admissions under the previous three-year programme.

In a statement, DU Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh asked principals of various colleges affiliated to the varsity to start admissions for the new session.

“In line with the directive of the UGC, the University has decided to roll back the FYUP. Consequently, the admission process shall be conducted under the scheme of courses that were in force in the academic session 2012-13 in all the colleges of the University of Delhi,” Singh said.

He added that DU recognises the need of the hour and it is of “paramount importance” to protect the interests of the students by ensuring the start of the admission process.

“It is expected that the principals of our colleges shall assist in devising and ensuring a speedy completion of the admission process,” he said.

UGC had written a letter to DU on Thursday demanding that they start admissions under the three-year programme in response to a compromise proposal sent by DU on Wednesday.

DU’s proposal to the commission, signed by its registrar Alka Sharma, said, “The university is of the opinion that given the situation where admissions are being delayed… (a) blended proposal submitted by some eminent persons to UGC and DU may provide the way forward.

“The proposal entails admitting all students to a three-year undergraduate course with honours and will also obviate the need to call for fresh registrations. We await your response in order to convene the statutory bodies at the earliest in the best interests of the students and the academic community.”

UGC’s response came after a day of hectic negotiations between the varsity and UGC over the compromise proposal drawn up by a group of academicians.

While UGC accepted all but one proposal, there were some legal issues which came in the way and, hence, it was seeking the views of legal experts. A crucial meeting of the 10-member UGC standing committee scheduled for 5 pm on Thursday was cancelled in its wake.

A senior UGC official, meanwhile, told PTI, “DU needs to revert to pre-FYUP and begin admissions, letter sent to DU by UGC.” Delhi University Teachers’ Association had already rejected the six-point proposal.

(With additional input from PTI)