New Delhi:
The coming week is going to be crucial for students who have applied for degree courses in Delhi University.
Ahead of the admission process for the new academic session, there is a big question mark on the future of the students in the wake of an order by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the funding agency for central universities, asking the university and all its colleges to conduct admissions only under the three-year undergraduate programme and not under the controversial FYUP (Four-Year Undergraduate Programme).
The UGC has given three clear directions to the university: revert back to the three-year undergraduate programme, facilitate migration of the first FYUP batch to the three-year-programme by enabling them to complete the course in two years now, and ensure adherence to the three-year programme.
The commission has also warned of "consequences" if its direction is violated.
In its response, the Delhi University, which started the programme from the last academic session, has refused to budge saying FYUP does not violate the National Education Policy as students still have the option to exit after three years, though without an honours degree.
In this face-off, students who are already pursuing the four-year programme are a worried lot.
The first cut-off list is set to come out on Monday evening and admissions begin from Tuesday.
In the wake of the controversy, the St Stephen's College has already announced that it will defer its final admission process and other colleges are likely to follow suit.
The UGC directive, issued yesterday, has been hailed by both teacher and student bodies who have been protesting against the move.
Under FYUP, Delhi University students study a foundation course in their first year and begin their honours courses only from their second year, unlike their counterparts anywhere else in India.
The change in curriculum has been championed by the Vice-Chancellor of the Delhi University, Dinesh Singh. He has said that the new structure introduces a healthy interdisciplinary approach to education.
But teachers across colleges say they were not consulted about the new plans or given enough time to redesign the courses.