Enroll students only under three-year programme: UGC warns DU

They stated that the four-year undergraduate programme violates the National Education Policy 1986

The University Grants Commission (UGC) Sunday strictly ordered the Delhi University that admissions for the undergraduate programme should be made only under the three-year programme, which was prevalent prior to the introduction of the four-year programme, or face action under the UGC Act 1956.

The commission has also strictly said that if the varsity does not comply with the orders, it will also withdraw grant facility to the colleges, as the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) violates the National Education Policy 1986 which advocates the 10+2+3 system.

This is the second letter from the UGC to DU.

It had also sent a letter Friday asking the varsity to give admissions under the three-year programme which was there prior to the introduction of the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP).

It also asked DU to make provisions to help students who have already been admitted under FYUP to migrate easily to the three-year programme.

But the varsity held an academic council meet Saturday and passed a resolution saying that it had "revised" the programme and it no longer violated the NEP, as a student had the option of exiting after three years with a bachelors degree, and that the fourth year was optional.

But students who wanted an honours degree had to complete four years.

So, the commission again wrote a letter Sunday and said: "The admission for academic year 2014-2015 at the undergraduate level in the general degree programme (including the honours programme in different subjects of humanities, science and commerce) in various colleges shall only be to the three-year undergraduate programme which was offered prior to the introduction of the FYUP and under no circumstances shall the Delhi University or any of its colleges under it admit students under the four-year programme."

UGC said that since the admission process to the undergraduate programme has already been initiated and the first list for admission is expected to be announced Monday and since there was no compliance to their earlier letter by DU, the commission issued the order Sunday.

In its letter, the UGC has also asked DU to report to the commission "compliance" of this directive by Monday "without fail".

The commission further warned of action if DU deviates from the directives.

"Any deviation or contravention of this order shall be viewed seriously by the UGC and attract action under the UGC Act 1956, including withdrawal of grant facility to the college," said the letter signed by Jaspal Singh Sandhu, UGC secretary.

The UGC also urged students to pay the fees according to the three-year programme.

In a statement, the UGC said the four-year undergraduate programme introduced by Delhi University is not in consonance with the National Education Policy (1986) and 10+2+3 structure envisaged under it and the Delhi varsity has not followed the procedure prescribed in the Delhi University Act, 1922.

UGC has June 21 also constituted a standing committee under the chairmanship of vice chairman and representatives of Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA), Delhi University Students Union (DUSU), college principal and teachers, the academic and executive council of DU to advise the varsity to migrate from the four-year programme to the three-year undergraduate programme.

In response to the directive, St. Stephen's College said they will also defer admissions till a final decision is taken by the competent authority.

"In view of the reported UGC directive to the University of Delhi regarding its undergraduate programmes, St. Stephen's College, while continuing with the ongoing selection process, including the publication of provisional lists of selected and wait-listed candidates for various courses, shall defer final admissions till a decision is taken on the matter by the competent authority," the college said in a statement.

However, the varsity refused to comment on the letter and has also postponed the executive council meet scheduled for Monday.

The students and teachers group who were protesting against the four-year programme hailed the UGC letter.

However, in this war between the DU and UGC, the future of about 2.5 lakh students who have applied to DU lies in uncertainty.