It is unlikely for every student of the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) to opt for their preferred subject as a Discipline Course II (minors) in the third semester. As per fresh guidelines issued by the Delhi University, students can now opt for a DC-II only if a department of that subject exists in the college or if the UGC/Government approved faculty position is available in the subject being offered.
Due to lack of information in FYUP guidelines issued in 2013, there was a lot of confusion in the administration regarding the allotment of DC-II. Thus, a committee, chaired by the Dean of Student Welfare Prof JM Khurana was formed to monitor the programme.
While norms include the previous option of choosing either one subject of six papers or two subjects of three papers each, ground rules for the same have been set. The circular issued by the committee to all principals reads, “In case the college decides to offer the option of three plus three papers at the DC-II level, then the choice will have to be made by the student out of the DC-II courses available in the given semester only.” However, students opting for the three plus three option will face a disadvantage as they would not be able to do Masters in those courses contrary to those who opt for DC-II with six papers.
The process of allotment has also been chalked out. Now, if the number of students opting for a DC-II exceeds the number determined by the college for that particular subject, the allotment should be done in order of merit on the basis of aggregate of marks obtained by students in all the foundation and applied language courses of the first semester.
Meanwhile, the minimum number of students required to start a particular DC-II course will be the colleges’ prerogative. “Keeping in mind the availability of our permanent faculty, infrastructure and the interest of students, we can decide what the minimum strength for starting a DC-II should be,” said principal of Hindu College, Dr Pradumn Kumar.The most popular courses among students are Economics, Political Science, History and Commerce. Regional and technical courses have the least takers. Colleges are supposed to finish the allotment process by May 23.