By News18
The Delhi University Teachers鈥 Association (DUTA) has strongly opposed the implementation of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, calling it a 鈥渞ecipe for failure.鈥 On Monday, DUTA submitted a petition to the President of India, highlighting serious issues related to academics, infrastructure, and policies, as reported by news agency PTI.
The petition, endorsed by nearly 2,000 faculty members, was submitted through the Ministry of Education. The President, as the Visitor of Delhi University, has the authority to review the matter.
At a press conference, DUTA President Prof A.K. Bhagi said the biggest issue is that DU lacks the resources and staff to manage the fourth year under FYUP. 鈥淲e need more teachers and better infrastructure to handle the increase in student intake. Right now, we have neither,鈥 he said.
DUTA also asked for the withdrawal of the Draft UGC (University Grants Commission) Regulations 2025, arguing that such major changes shouldn鈥檛 be introduced without the Pay Review Committee (PRC) report. They urged the government to address long-standing concerns related to faculty service conditions.
Prof Bhagi warned that implementing FYUP without adequate classrooms, infrastructure, and teachers could harm students鈥 education. 鈥淭his is a plan set to fail. We won鈥檛 accept financial support if it comes at the cost of academic independence,鈥 he said. DUTA demanded special funding to help colleges upgrade their facilities.
DUTA Secretary Dr Anil Kumar added that the draft UGC regulations should not be implemented as they are. He said they should instead be aligned with the upcoming 8th Pay Commission after broad discussions with faculty and other stakeholders.
The teachers鈥 body raised many concerns, including:
Overcrowded classrooms and laboratories
Delays in the academic calendar
Overburdened faculty
Poor alignment of online learning platforms like SWAYAM and MOOCs with DU鈥檚 curriculum
DUTA opposed the use of these online platforms for earning academic credits, warning that it would weaken educational standards and reduce meaningful student-teacher interaction.
DUTA Treasurer Dr Akanksha Khurana said that poorly planned policy changes without feedback or proper infrastructure could destabilise public universities and defeat the goals of NEP 2020.
The association also repeated its earlier demands, such as:
Restoring MPhil and PhD increments
Fair recognition of past ad-hoc service for promotions
Removing unjust limits on senior professor posts
Setting a two-month deadline for processing promotions
DUTA Vice President Dr Sudhanshu Kumar called for uniform service conditions across academic positions and the immediate recruitment of faculty through special drives. He highlighted delays caused by the 鈥淣ot Found Suitable鈥 clause, which is often used to reject eligible candidates.
Prof Aditya Narayan Misra added, 鈥淲e鈥檙e not against a four-year structure, but trying to implement it without the needed resources is bound to fail. You鈥檝e cut teaching hours in half, doubled the number of students, and reduced lab sessions鈥攈ow is this improving education?鈥 He warned that if their demands are ignored, teachers may have to take to the streets in protest.
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According to the current academic schedule, the fourth year of FYUP will begin on August 1. While DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh earlier called it a 鈥済ame changer鈥 focused on research, entrepreneurship, and skill-building, DUTA argues that the university lacks the faculty and infrastructure to support such ambitions.
In conclusion, DUTA urged both the President and the Union Education Ministry to ensure that all reforms are based on academic freedom, teacher welfare, and consultation with stakeholders, rather than being forced through without proper preparation.