Delhi University Approves Semester Away Programme, Direct PhD Entry Amid Concerns

The University of Delhi Executive Council has approved two major academic reforms, the introduction of a Semester Away Programme for undergraduate students and direct admission to PhD programmes for students completing four-year undergraduate degrees. The decisions were taken during a meeting chaired by Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh, despite objections from elected council members.

Direct PhD Admission Criteria

Requirement	Details
Degree	4-year Undergraduate Programme
Minimum CGPA	7.5
Research Requirement	At least 1 Scopus-indexed publication
Entrance Process	No mandatory entrance test or interview specified

Key Decisions

• Introduction of Semester Away Programme in collaboration with foreign universities
• Approval of direct PhD admission after a four-year undergraduate degree
• Launch of one-year postgraduate courses at the School of Open Learning
• Approval of annual accounts (2025–26) and staff-related policy updates
• Introduction of a ₹20 lakh group insurance scheme for employees

Semester Away Programme (SAP) Overview

Feature	Details
Programme Type	Study abroad (1 semester)
Eligibility	Undergraduate students
Partner Institutions	Foreign universities
Costs	Students pay both DU fees + host institution fees
Financial Aid	Scholarships, grants, and need-based support

Concerns Raised by Council Members

• Lack of entrance exam/interview for PhD admissions
• Questions over academic preparedness of undergraduate students for research
• Risk of diluting postgraduate programme value
• SAP may increase financial burden due to additional foreign university fees
• Programme could favor financially stronger students, raising equity concerns
• Lack of clarity on proposal changes and implementation details

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