FYUP row persists: Delhi University sends proposal, UGC shoots it down

Hours after Delhi University sent University Grants Commission a proposal to blend courses in the three-year and four-year programmes on Thursday, UGC – in another directive to DU – rejected the formula. Poll:Who is to blame for DU's FYUP mess?

Hours after Delhi University sent University Grants Commission a proposal to blend courses in the three-year and four-year programmes on Thursday, UGC – in another directive to DU – reportedly rejected the formula.

The varsity finally broke its silence and wrote to the commission that the proposal submitted by a set of "eminent citizens" – to DU as well as UGC – is being actively considered and may provide a way forward. In its directive, sources said, UGC asked the university to revert back to the 2012 three year undergraduate programme for all courses.

Sources said that while the UGC and the HRD ministry had more or less agreed to the formula, the change of mind came after a legal opinion was sought in the evening on Thursday.

Members of AISA staging a demonstration demanding roll back of FYUP in front of Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI Photo)

Read:|

Read:

According to DU sources, the university may also now seek legal advice on whether UGC is empowered to give a directive to the varsity in academic matters.

"I have welcomed the offer made by DU to carry out both the programmes. There was a positive development on behalf of DU," said M M Ansari, member, UGC.

Shortly after receiving the letter from the university, UGC chairman Ved Prakash met HRD minister Smriti Irani for an hour, and also held deliberations with senior ministry officials. Earlier, the meeting of the standing committee of UGC, expected to be held at 5pm on Thursday, was postponed.

The DU proposal says that foundation courses should be reduced and offered only in the first year, an honours degree ought to be given in three years, more main subject courses should be added to the mix, and that the university could also have an optional fourth year for a new degree, 'honours by research'. It rules out bringing back the BA programme, B Com programme, and BSc physical science and life sciences course.

Read:

HT Edit:

Conducting admissions in the system that prevailed in 2012 will require approval from various statutory bodies of the university, says the letter.

"You (UGC) will appreciate that admissions cannot take place to a course of study for which necessary approvals have not been obtained," the letter reads.

Read: