Setting aside all speculation, the Centre on Tuesday took the final call in allowing Delhi University to introduce the controversial four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP). Registration for DU admissions would commence from Wednesday.
In a crucial meeting, the HRD Ministry resolved to constitute a five-member Advisory Committee by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to monitor progress of implementation of the DU programme and offer corrective and necessary advice on the issue of curriculum etc from time to time.
The committee, under chairmanship of CSIR former director general and UGC member SK Joshi, was set up following a meeting chaired by HRD Minister MM Pallam Raju, where the issue was discussed at length.
Significantly, terms and reference entails the committee to assess implications of the undergraduate programme on postgraduate degree courses in DU, as well as other universities. The advisory committee may give reports to UGC from time to time. Along with tracking progress of implementation, the committee would deliberate on any other issues relevant to the proposed programme and make suitable recommendations.
UGC member and director of International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology VS Chauhan, chairman of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research Mrinal Miri, director of Tata Institute of Social Science S Parsuraman and former director of Indian Institute of Advanced Studies Bhuvan Chandel are members of the committee.