Delhi University announces rollout of first Four Year Undergraduate Programme batch for direct PhD pathway

The University of Delhi (DU) announced the roll out of the first batch of its Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) on Friday, creating a direct pathway for eligible students to pursue PhD programmes without obtaining a master's degree.Delhi University (File Photo)DU introduced the FYUP under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022, which was implemented in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, from the 2022-23 academic session.Also Read | Delhi University suspends PhD scholar for slapping professor, CCTV surfacesAs a special measure for the first batch of students completing the FYUP in 2026, DU said it will allow students with a CGPA of 7.5 or above (7.0 for SC/ST students) to apply directly for PhD programmes for the 2026-27 academic session, subject to the University's rules.A total of 75,948 students enrolled in the FYUP in 2022-23. Of these, 40,005 students exited the programme after completing three years in 2025, while 35,943 students opted to continue for the fourth year, according to a DU release.Of the 35,943 students who continued into the fourth year, 12,111 applied for DU's One-Year Postgraduate (PG) programmes for the 2026-27 academic session. This accounts for 34.27% of the students who continued into the fourth year, the University said.Also Read | DU teachers urge VC to withdraw order on recovery of PhD, MPhil increments“The Ordinances of the University has been amended to include the same with the approval of the Academic Council and Executive Council. The Ph. D. admissions for the academic session 2026-27 shall allow the fourth-year students who complete the programme with 7.5 CGPA (7 CGPA for SC/ST students) to apply directly for the Ph. D. Programme. Accordingly, the University concurs with the comment of the retired Professor of DU, that students who complete the FYUP are not necessary to do master’s programme, and necessary track for the same has already been provided by the University,” the release said.