DU fourth year roll-out under NEP sees increase in BA, BSc students

While the University of Delhi (DU) is ready to introduce the fourth year of the undergraduate (UG) course under the National Educational Policy (NEP) 2020, BA and BSc students have been the largest number enrolling for carry-forward and honours upgrading of their degrees.

According to the university figures, some 72,000 students are in line for the fourth year, of whom more than 50,000 have chosen to continue with the extended year to Thursday, July 24.

According to a PTI report, the majority of the cohort comprises students from interdisciplinary BA and BSc courses who are now waiting eagerly to upgrade their degrees to honours.

Manav, a student of BA from Ramjas College, explained, "This is a great opportunity for us. We didn't have such a facility earlier to graduate with honours, now we can, that's why I joined it."

While the policy guarantees academic freedom and research experience, its practice has left many issues. Students and staff at the university refer to disarray and confusion due to vague directives, poorly manned departments, and administrative inefficiencies in the designation of research supervisors.

Ananya, a third-year BA student at Jesus and Mary College, said she was initially informed that she could pursue her fourth-year research in Sociology and Psychology. "But the Psychology department then informed us it's only for honours students. We were cheated," she said.

This mix-up is proving to be troublesome for students pursuing courses with interfaculty combinations – with involvement of more than one department and conflicting information only working to increase the confusion.

Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh had earlier greeted the fourth year as a "game changer," emphasizing its research, entrepreneurship and skill orientation. He further stated that more than 20,000 students had opted out, but reiterated the university's readiness to take on the rest of the large batch.

"We will establish whatever facilities are needed. It is in the interest of our students," he said.

Despite the promise, teacher associations remain cautious, many of them complaining about inadequate infrastructure, inadequate faculty strength, and absence of organized orientation programmes.

Departments have been reported to be finding it difficult to secure research supervisors and prepare labs in time.

"Non-honour students are bright, but the system is not designed," said a faculty member, going on to say there is no consistency in plans introduced for interdisciplinary students.

As honours course students, particularly those in courses like Economics and English, were considering a rethink of spending an extra year in view of career plans or exam preparations, BA and BSc students saw the fourth year as a much-needed academic upgrade.

"Most of us are keen on further studies or looking overseas. An honours degree would set us apart," said another student at the university's North Campus.

"We just want the university to get things in order before lectures begin," the student added.

With hardly a week left before the academic session can begin, Delhi University is grappling with the double challenge of handling scale and providing clarity – particularly to students who have invested their trust in the NEP promises.