Protests against Delhi University's Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP)
The Delhi University has scrapped its controversial Four Year Undergraduate Programme or FYUP, which had propelled fierce protests by students and teachers, and restored the three-year format.
Here are 10 developments in this story:
In a statement today, Delhi University Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh announced that the four-year progamme would be rolled back and students would be admitted under the old three-year format in place till two years ago.
"The University of Delhi recognises the need of the hour. It is of paramount importance to protect the students by ensuring the start of the admission process," Mr Singh said.
For days, the university had held out against repeated orders to cancel the unpopular four-year programme it introduced last year despite objections.
The standoff forced around 60 colleges in Delhi to put admissions on hold. Nearly three lakh students have applied for admission to some 54,000 college seats.
After many unheeded directives, the University Grants Commission or UGC - the central funding agency that coordinates college education policies - told the university last night that its order was "clear and unambiguous", the four-year course was a violation of the National Education Policy.
The Vice Chancellor's statement made it clear that he has not quit his post. Reports of his resignation on Tuesday had been followed by a denial from his aides hours later. Mr Singh has not clarified till now.
After the Delhi University's reported surrender, Education Minister Smriti Irani spoke on the controversy for the first time. "I respect the autonomy of institutions but autonomous institutions were created to serve people. My Appeal is, within the ambit of law, this is the time for statesmanship which will lead to resolution. One shouldn't sacrifice the interest of our students at the altar of prestige," she said.
The university had yesterday suggested a plan to retain the four-year programme with tweaks. It proposed a three-year system by reducing foundation courses that students had to take in the first two years, and an optional fourth year for research. But the UGC ruled it out and said it wanted a complete roll-back of FYUP.
Many teachers and students say the shift to a US-style four-year pattern was rash and failed to factor in the university's lack of resources. They said the current schooling system in India (the 10+2 scheme) allows students to enter college primed to choose a specific subject or discipline.
The UGC is now working on a plan to shift 60,000 students admitted last year under the four-year programme, to the three-year format. They now have to complete the remaining three years in two.
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