UGC, Delhi University standoff: Students protest outside HRD ministry

New Delhi: Toughening its stand, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Monday, asked the Delhi University and all its colleges to conduct admissions only under the three-year undergraduate programme and not under the controversial FYUP while warning of ‘consequences’ if its direction is violated.

The UGC direction for the coming academic session came a day after the Delhi University struck a defiant note, rejecting the Commission's directive to scrap the controversial four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP).

"Under no circumstances shall the University of Delhi or any of the colleges under it admit students to the FYUP for academic year 2014-15," the Commission said in a statement.

"And further that any deviation from this directive either by the University of Delhi or any of the colleges under it shall be deemed to be in contravention of the UGC Act, 1956 with its consequences," it said.

Officials said disobeying the UGC direction could spell trouble for Delhi University as it could stand to lose grants and degrees offered by the varsity could be de-recognised.

The UGC said that it would be ensured that students, who were admitted in 2013-14 in FYUP when it was introduced, are able to migrate to the three-year programme.

In the statement, the UGC said "admission for academic year 2014-15 at the undergraduate level in the general degree programmes (including the Honours programme in different subjects of Humanities, Science and Commerce) in various colleges under the University of Delhi shall only be to the three-year undergraduate programme which was offered prior to the introduction of the FYUP".

The UGC has also decided to constitute a ten-member committee with representations from teachers, students and statutory bodies to advice DU for the implementation of the directive.

They would ensure that students, who were admitted in 2013-14 are able to migrate to the three-year programme, without any hassle and acquire necessary academic and other competencies during the next two academic years, it said.

The committee would comprise the vice chairman of the UGC, president of DUTA and students' body DUSU among others.

At its full commission meeting on June 13, the UGC had asked Delhi University to review the programme as it felt that it was in violation of the national policy on education which follows the 10-plus 2-plus 3 pattern.

The Delhi University, however, stood by the programme and in a reply to the commission has maintained that it has followed due procedure.

The varsity yesterday said it had revised the programme to make it compliant with the National Policy on Education (NPE).

Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) along with several student organisations such as NSUI and ABVP has been demanding immediate roll back of the FYUP and the VC's resignation.

BJP had during the elections promised to scrap the FYUP if it comes to power.

The UGC is a statutory organisation responsible for co-ordination, determination and maintenance of standards of education as well of disbursal of funds for universities in the country.