DU Greenlights Curriculum Changes; VC Emphasises 4th‑Year Prep

• Syllabus Update: DU removes papers on Pakistan, Islam, China.
• NEP Rollout: UG 4th year ready; regular faculty to lead.
• Infra Boost: ₹1,912 Cr upgrades, e-library, hostel plans.

The council meeting of the Executive Council of Delhi University was conditionally approving a number of academic and infrastructure matters, even though the internal dissent continues. One of the more contentious issues was the removal of papers on Pakistan, Islam, and China from the postgraduate Political Science syllabus. The Academic Council approved the changes on June 5,113, but Council member Mithuraaj Dhusiya stated the course changes were being made before the documents could reach the Academic Council for due process and affect the Academic Council's legitimacy, and went on publicly to make accusations and statements alluding to the processes established by the university.

This meeting was chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh. The meeting also approved the new director of South Campus: Professor Rajni Abbi. In relation to the rollout of NEP 2020, the VC noted the university is ready to rollout the fourth year of undergraduate studies in the 2025–26 session, with the possibility of over 60% of students opting in.

Addressing faculty shortage concerns, Prof. Singh said regular teachers would handle fourth-year classes, with guest faculty assisting in junior years. Regular faculty taking extra classes would receive compensation, and support would also be extended to non-teaching staff.

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Prof. Singh detailed digital upgrades, including ₹65.71 crore spent on improved Wi-Fi across the university and full digitisation of the library, now offering 24×7 access to over two lakh e-books and journals. He also encouraged college principals to establish startup incubators and register Section-8 companies to foster entrepreneurship.

On infrastructure, 17 ongoing projects are being developed at a cost of ₹1,912.15 crore, with ₹329 crore already released. These include the WUS Health Centre, a new computer centre on North Campus, and expansions of the science block and Social Centre School Building in Maurice Nagar.

Further approvals include a Cultural Activity Centre near Shankar Lal Hall, a new academic building at the SP Jain parking area in South Campus, and hostels for girl students and working women at the Dhaka campus. Extensions to existing boys’ and girls’ hostels in South Campus were also confirmed.

Following complaints about structural damage to Dhaka campus buildings in Mukherjee Nagar, a structural audit by the CPWD is underway. Based on findings, phased reconstruction and retrofitting will be carried out to ensure the safety of hostels and residential quarters.