4 min readNew DelhiMay 17, 2025 02:53 PM IST
First published on: May 17, 2025 at 05:05 AM IST
In a move aimed at widening access and flexibility, Delhi University (DU) has introduced a fourth academic track in the final year of its undergraduate (UG) programme – an alternative to the existing three tracks of Dissertation Writing, Academic Projects, and Entrepreneurship.
This addition comes ahead of DU’s undergraduate students, as part of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, enter the fourth academic year in July for the first time. The decision was approved by the DU Academic Council earlier this month. University officials said the exact content and structure of the additional electives and skill-based courses will be finalised at the department level in the coming weeks.
The fourth track has been introduced specifically for Programme (P) course students, such as those enrolled in the School of Open Learning and the Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board, for whom implementing the existing three research-heavy or innovation-based tracks may be logistically unfeasible due to large enrolments and limited infrastructure.
According to DU officials, the fourth track is an attempt to offer parity and inclusivity to students for whom academic research or enterprise-building may not be practical options.
“An alternative has been provided to students enrolled in BA (P) or BSc (P) or BCom (P) who will be pursuing the fourth year of their UG programme to opt for additional number of Discipline Specific Electives and a skill-based course/hands on learning/laboratory exposure/workshop etc of two credits related to the core discipline each in the semesters VII and VIII, in case they do not wish to opt for any of the three approved tracks…,” the DU stated in an official document.
“Students pursuing BA (P) or BSc (P) or BCom (P) will get a simple degree after completion of the third year and an honours degree after completion of the fourth year. Such students will not get ‘Honours with Research’ degree after completion of the fourth year, even if such students write a dissertation or do academic projects,” the document stated.
For most students enrolled in the Programme stream, this fourth track could mean completing their degree with more subject-focused coursework and practical training rather than being left behind by the system’s pivot to research and innovation.
“Keeping in mind NEP 2020, we have created these tracks to make sure we create room for sustainable livelihood and promote the culture of converting students into job givers and not just seekers while also promoting more and more entrepreneurs,” said Ratna Bali, Dean of Academic Affairs.
Until now, DU had offered students three track options in the final year – each worth 12 credits across two semesters. While Dissertation Writing is meant for those interested in academic or research careers, Academic Projects is targeted toward hands-on applied learning. Entrepreneurship, meanwhile, encourages students to build market-ready ideas through business modelling and financial planning. All three are now available only to students who opt in and can be accommodated.
Under the revised structure, students must now complete 176 credits to graduate, up from the 148 under the previous Choice-Based Credit System. The increase includes the 12-credit research or project-based component, which forms the core of the NEP-aligned final year.
In October 2023, the Delhi University put out a notification stating that ad hoc appointments would be discontinued,(File) 
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