India, Aug. 25 -- Delhi University's four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP), introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is entering a crucial phase as its first cohort completes the programme, with the university defending the additional year as a pathway to research while concerns persist over participation, infrastructure and its relevance to students. Of the 75,948 students admitted to the first FYUP batch in 2022-23, 40,005 exited after three years in 2025, while 35,943 continued into the fourth year. The university says the optional year is designed to strengthen research, entrepreneurship, internships and practical learning. Also Read - AAP accuses BJP of failing city amid widespread waterlogging Advertisement The fourth year has also opened new academic routes. DU offered 5,857 seats across 46 one-year postgraduate programmes for 2026-27. Of the 35,943 students continuing into the fourth year, 12,111 applied for these programmes. DU has further approved direct PhD admission for FYUP graduates with a CGPA of 7.5 or above, or 7 for SC/ST students. For 2026-27, it will conduct an in-house entrance test as a special measure. The model, however, has its critics. Faculty concerns include low participation, the viability of specialised fourth-year classes, infrastructure and faculty capacity. Student discussions have similarly reflected mixed experiences: some see the year as an opportunity for research, minors and specialised skills, while others prefer entering employment or preparing for competitive examinations. The central question is therefore not merely whether FYUP adds a year, but whether DU can make that year academically valuable enough to justify the additional time and resources.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.