Delhi University's executive council approved two significant academic policy changes on [Date of Meeting]. The council sanctioned direct PhD admission for select undergraduate students and a semester-away program with foreign institutions. Both decisions faced objections from council members.
Direct PhD Entry Approved
Under the new policy, students completing a four-year undergraduate program at Delhi University can now apply directly for doctoral studies. Qualification requires a minimum 7.5 CGPA and at least one Scopus-indexed publication. Elected council members Mithuraaj Dhusiya and Aman Kumar opposed this change. They argued that doctoral research necessitates deeper subject understanding and stronger preparation. Concerns were also raised about the absence of an entrance test or interview before the Departmental Research Committee. Critics believe this could misrepresent student readiness and diminish the importance of postgraduate education. Questions also arose regarding the process for supervisor changes during PhD programs.
Semester Away Program Cleared
The council also approved the Semester Away Program for undergraduate students, as part of the UGCF 2022 framework. This initiative will allow students to spend one semester studying at a foreign higher education institution. Opponents voiced concerns that the program might devalue Delhi University's own courses. They also highlighted the potential financial burden on students, who would need to pay fees at both their host institution and Delhi University. The clarity of the updated proposal was also questioned. However, the program aims to facilitate student access to scholarships and mobile grants. Delhi University and its colleges may also offer financial support based on need and merit, subject to fund availability.
Other University Decisions
In addition to academic policy changes, the Executive Council approved Delhi University's annual accounts for 2025-26. This included accounts for halls, hostels, Provident Fund, and the National Pension System. Pay protection for teachers transitioning from ad hoc or temporary posts to regular appointments was also cleared. These rules apply to appointments made on or after April 1, 2022 . A one-year postgraduate course was approved for the School of Open Learning in MA Hindi, MA History, MA Political Science, MA Sanskrit, and MCom. A voluntary group insurance scheme offering ₹20 Lakh coverage for dependents of DU employees, including contractual staff, was also sanctioned at a monthly premium of ₹500 plus GST. Council members congratulated Vice Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh on his second term. He stated that Delhi University aims to be among the top 200 universities globally within five years, targeting a rank of 322 in the 2027 QS rankings, an improvement from its 2022 band of 521-530.
