Delhi University may shift FYUP 4th year to select colleges
The move comes after low student enrollment in the fourth year raised concerns about the financial and administrative viability of running the program across all universities. The proposal, proposed by the Delhi University Principals’ Association (DUPA), is welcomed by the university, but the final decision will be taken after reviewing the admission data.
Registrar Vikas Gupta told TOI, “We view the proposal positively. The idea is to avoid expenditure in cases where student strength is very low. We also need to justify the resources allocated. After all, these are public funds and need to be used in the best possible way.”
Joint classes for students from more than one university
Under the proposed model, selected colleges would host fourth-year classes for students from multiple colleges, allowing the university to bring together faculty and infrastructure rather than running separate groups at each institution.
Also Read: DU UG admissions 2026-27: Provisional schedule, physical trial venues for ECA quota announced
“Under NEP, students already have the flexibility to leave after different phases. For those who choose to continue for the fourth year, we can form combined groups of students from different colleges and conduct classes at a designated location. If their college is not among those identified to offer the fourth year, there is no need for students to formally transfer from one college to another,” Gupta said.
He added that applications are still ongoing and the university will make its final decision after receiving all registration data. “Based on the data, we will consider the proposal positively if the situation requires it,” he said.
DUPA states registration rate is low
The proposal was made by DUPA Secretary Prof. It followed Savita Roy’s letter dated July 10 to the dean of universities, copies of which were also sent to the dean (academics) and the registrar.
The association said that around 30% of students enrolled in the fourth year in the 2025-26 academic session, but so far only a limited number of students have expressed interest in continuing into the fourth year for the 2026-27 session.
Also Read: DU records highest ever UG registrations with over 2.73 lakh candidates for 2026-27 session
“According to enrollment data for the academic year 2025-26, approximately 30% of students have opted for the fourth year of the UG programme. However, for 2026-27, only a limited number of students have so far expressed interest in pursuing the fourth year,” the letter said.
DUPA said that based on feedback from principals, “it may not be financially, academically or administratively feasible for every university to offer the full range of fourth-year programs, particularly where student enrollment is very low.”
The association called on the university to “identify and appoint selected colleges” to offer specific fourth-year programs based on infrastructure, faculty strength, academic resources and student demand. He said such rationalization would ensure “optimal use of resources” while maintaining the quality and sustainability of the programme.
First major change since FYUP launch
If approved, the cluster university model will mark the first major change in the implementation of Delhi University’s four-year undergraduate program launched under the NEP.
The program has faced criticism from teachers and students for its academic design and usefulness. Colleges also reported infrastructure issues as various institutions set up temporary portacabins and arranged additional funding to cover the extra academic year.
The proposed model aims to combine teaching and infrastructural resources while allowing students from different colleges to complete the fourth year through designated institutions.
(With inputs from TOI)
