Commission asks DU colleges to conduct admission only under three-year programme or face action
Bringing the controversy over the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) to an end, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Sunday issued an order to all 64 colleges of the Delhi University (DU) to admit students only under the
Three-Year Undergraduate Programme (TYUP) from the new academic session. The order further stated that any deviation from its directive shall be deemed to be in contravention of the UGC Act, 1956 and could attract punitive action like freezing of grants.
The UGC has also asked the university to suitably migrate the students who are studying under the FYUP to the TYUP. But there is still uncertainty regarding the fate of students who have already enrolled in the B.Tech courses, which were introduced along with FYUP. For the smooth execution of this, the UGC has constituted a ten-member committee with representations from teachers, students and statutory bodies to advice the DU for implementation of the directive. They would ensure that students admitted in 2013-14 are able to migrate to the TYUP, without any hassle and acquire necessary academic and other competence during the next two academic years, it said.
According to the UGC’s order, DU is in violation of the National Policy of Education Scheme of 10+2+3 education. Thus, the Commission stated that it is in the best interest of students that the changes are made soon and cut-off lists for admissions are released on Tuesday as per schedule. Moreover, the UGC issued a public notice to students asking them to seek admission in DU colleges only under TYUP and pay the fees as per that programme as well.
With the UGC’s strict directive, it is almost certain that DU will have to reintroduce the old course structure. Sources said that no communication has been received from the university so far.
The move is expected to put a lid on the month-long agitation by students’ and teachers’ bodies demanding scrapping of the programme. An executive committee member of Delhi University Teachers’ Association Vijaya Venkataraman welcomed the UGC move. She said DU was “flouting” all norms and conduct of the programme and the Vice-Chancellor remained adamant, therefore, UGC’s decision is welcome.
Meanwhile, several colleges in the university have already started taking steps toward the flip back of programmes. St Stephen’s College has even deferred its admission in view of UGC’s directives. In a statement issued to the Press, the principal of St Stephen’s College said: “While the admission process will continue, the admission list being put up now is provisional. The final admission to all courses, including payment of fees, is deferred till a decision on the matter is taken by the university.”
The university on Saturday had passed a resolution to admit students under the three-year bachelor’s degree programme where staying on for the fourth year to get an Honours degree would be optional, in order to comply with the National Policy of Education Scheme of 10+2+3 education. However, the UGC’s order on Sunday came as a retort to the resolution where the Commission reiterated its earlier directives to the university and said that there was no scope for further deliberation on the matter. Sources have said that if the university defies this order now, the confrontation could lead to a scuffle in court.