In a significant academic shift, the University of Delhi (DU) has formally announced that students enrolled in the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) can now exit after completing three years, or six semesters, and still be awarded a bachelor’s degree. This development aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages flexible academic structures with multiple entry and exit points.
According to the official notification released by the university, this exit option is available to students from the 2022–2026 batch who have completed three years under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022. Eligible students may now receive either a general degree (for multidisciplinary programmes) or an honours degree (for single-discipline programmes), depending on their course structure.
The university has instructed interested candidates to submit their intent through DU’s student portal at https://lc.uod.ac.in. The portal is expected to host the online application process where students can formally apply to exit the programme after three years.
This announcement comes ahead of DU’s planned launch of the fourth year of the FYUP in August 2025. Introduced under the NEP 2020, the four-year framework was designed to promote deeper academic engagement and greater student choice. Under this structure, students can earn a certificate after one year, a diploma after two years, a general degree after three years, and an honours with research or specialisation degree after four years.
While the flexibility offered by FYUP has been welcomed by many, it has also raised concerns across student and faculty circles. Critics have pointed to challenges such as limited infrastructure, gaps in curriculum development, and a lack of preparedness among colleges to handle the expanded demands of the programme. Some faculty members have also expressed concern over how the quality of education and research will be maintained in the absence of robust institutional support.
Responding to these concerns, DU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh, in an earlier statement, emphasised that necessary infrastructure and facilities would be developed in time. “This is the first time the focus is on research, entrepreneurship and skill… this fourth year will be a game changer,” he said.
The latest notification represents a milestone in the implementation of NEP 2020 and is aimed at enhancing student autonomy in shaping their academic paths. By formalising the three-year exit route, the university hopes to accommodate the diverse needs of students, some of whom may wish to enter the workforce or pursue other educational opportunities without completing the full four years.
As the university continues its transition to the FYUP structure, this decision is expected to provide much-needed clarity and direction for students weighing their academic and professional options.
The move signifies a broader trend in Indian higher education towards flexibility, choice, and multidisciplinary learning—core tenets of the NEP 2020 vision.
