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India Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Recipe for failure: Delhi University teachers slam 4-year UG in plea to President
Raising alarm over what it calls a flawed rollout of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) has submitted a formal petition to the President of India. Backed by nearly 2,000 faculty members, the petition highlights a slew of academic, infrastructural, and policy shortcomings that, according to the association, threaten the very foundation of public higher a press conference on Monday, DUTA President Professor A K Bhagi stated that the university is ill-equipped to implement the additional fourth year of undergraduate education, citing severe shortages in teaching staff, classroom space, and infrastructure funding. "We simply do not have the resources to handle the increased student load. Implementing the FYUP without adequate preparation is bound to fail," he petition, routed through the Ministry of Education, also seeks the withdrawal of the Draft UGC Regulations 2025 in the absence of the Pay Review Committee (PRC) report. It further urges urgent action on long-standing service-related concerns, including delays in promotions and the recognition of ad-hoc service. Prof Bhagi cautioned that academic independence could be compromised if financial aid comes with strings attached. He called for immediate government intervention and special grants to help DU colleges upgrade their similar concerns, DUTA Secretary Dr Anil Kumar stressed that the new UGC regulations should only be introduced after the 8th Pay Commission recommendations are in place and following broad consultations with academic flagged several pressing issues, such as overcrowded classrooms and labs, overworked faculty, delayed academic calendars, and the growing mismatch between DU's curriculum and external platforms like SWAYAM and MOOCs. The association warned that counting credits from such platforms toward degrees could dilute academic rigor and reduce student-teacher Treasurer Dr Akanksha Khurana underscored that rolling out major policy changes without adequate infrastructure or stakeholder feedback risks undermining the objectives of NEP 2020. She also reiterated the association's demands to reinstate MPhil and PhD increments, fairly count previous ad-hoc service for promotion, remove arbitrary restrictions on senior professor posts, and fast-track the promotion process with a defined two-month petition serves as a strong signal to education policymakers that the implementation of NEP 2020, particularly FYUP, requires more than a policy mandate—it demands resources, planning, and inclusive dialogue.(With PTI inputs)- Ends
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
FYUP impractical, rigid, says DUTA; submits petition to President
More than a year after the RSS-backed National Democratic Teachers Front (NDTF) swept the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) elections, the union's leadership has expressed its ire towards the university's four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP), calling it 'rigid,' 'impractical,' and a 'compromise to academic standards and integrity'. At a press conference held Monday at the India International Centre, DUTA office-bearers condemned the implementation of the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. DUTA President Prof A K Bhagi said the framework, introduced in the fourth year of the new system, 'diluted academic depth' by reducing the credit load of core and discipline-specific subjects and overloading students and teachers with unnecessary paperwork and fragmented assessments. 'The faculty is overburdened with teaching and administrative responsibilities, but there has been no corresponding recruitment or infrastructure expansion,' Prof Bhagi said, citing overcrowded classrooms and laboratories as a key concern. He warned that allowing regular students to earn credits through online platforms such as SWAYAM and MOOCs would further erode academic standards and undermine classroom teaching. 'This will reduce meaningful student-teacher engagement and distort teaching workloads,' he said. Demanding immediate intervention in the drafting of the UGC Regulations 2025, the DUTA has submitted a petition to President Droupadi Murmu, who, as the Visitor to the varsity, has the power to review work and appointments. In a detailed resolution adopted at a national convention held on April 19 at the India International Centre, DUTA said the UGC's proposed alignment with the NEP 2020 lacked both consultation and critical evaluation. 'The rolled-out four-year undergraduate programme is yet to have its first batch graduate. Many other aspects, including the one-year postgraduate course, are yet to be implemented,' the petition noted, calling for a halt to what it described as 'undue haste' in regulation-making. The convention, attended by representatives from Federation of Central Universities Teachers Associations (FEDCUTA), Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JNUTA), IGNOUTA, and several central universities, rejected the Draft UGC Regulations in their current form, stating they 'must be made an integral part of the 8th Pay Commission revision of pay scales, and that too with suggested modifications.' One of the central contentions raised by DUTA was the erosion of academic autonomy and the potential for increased inequality under the new framework. 'Shortfall and backlog positions with the 200-point roster should be filled immediately,' it stated, insisting that the 'None Found Suitable' clause—often cited in recruitment delays—was 'not acceptable to teachers wherever candidates with minimum eligibility are available.' In the petition to the President, the teachers' body also demanded the release of teaching positions for the additional fourth year introduced under NEP, as well as separate allocations for the expansion of EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) reservations. Highlighting systemic concerns, the resolution questioned the removal of service-based incentives for MPhil and PhD qualifications and demanded that increments for such degrees be continued. 'These increments serve as legitimate incentives to encourage higher academic attainment,' DUTA argued. A major point of friction lies in the mandatory PhD requirement for promotions, which DUTA termed 'undesirable,' especially in the context of diverse institutional realities. 'Appointment and promotion criteria should not be overly stringent… a one-size-fits-all approach is not suitable,' it said, calling for greater flexibility to accommodate discipline-specific challenges and regional disparities. In a bid to foreground classroom teaching, the association proposed that Teaching Learning Centres (TLCs) be prioritised over Innovation and Technology Centres (ITCs) in promotion criteria, especially in institutions lacking digital infrastructure. No contractual appointments against sanctioned teaching posts, recognition of past service in ad-hoc or post-doctoral roles for career advancement, time-bound and transparent promotion procedures, equal retirement conditions for librarians and physical education staff, a clear policy to avoid cap limits on senior professor promotions, and appointment of only 'eminent academicians' as university Vice-Chancellors are among other demands. DUTA also took aim at the proposed 'Professor of Practice' positions, calling for a complete ban on appointing them against regular sanctioned posts. With growing discontent on campuses over the implementation of NEP-related reforms, DUTA's petition to the Visitor signals an escalating standoff between faculty and policymakers. 'It is imperative that the UGC gives due consideration to the feedback submitted by DUTA,' the petition concluded, 'and ensures the incorporation of relevant suggestions before finalisation.'
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
DUTA flags Four-Year Undergraduate Programme under NEP, petitions president
New Delhi, Calling the implementation of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme under NEP 2020 a "recipe to failure," the Delhi University Teachers' Association on Monday submitted a petition to the President of India, raising serious concerns over academic, infrastructural and policy gaps. DUTA flags Four-Year Undergraduate Programme under NEP, petitions president Nearly 2,000 faculty members have endorsed the petition. Addressing a press conference, DUTA president Prof A K Bhagi said, "Our biggest problem at present is that the fourth year under NEP 2020 is not feasible. We need manpower and funding for infrastructure expansion to accommodate the increased student intake, but we lack both." DUTA has urged the withdrawal of the Draft UGC Regulations, 2025, in the absence of the Pay Review Committee report, and demanded urgent redressal of long-standing service-related concerns. The petition was submitted through the Ministry of Education to the president, who is also the visitor of the university. Prof Bhagi warned that without adequate faculty, infrastructure and classroom space, the implementation of FYUP would endanger students' futures. "It's a recipe to fail. Financial help at the cost of academic independence will not be tolerated," he said, demanding special assistance to colleges to upgrade facilities urgently. DUTA secretary Dr Anil Kumar reiterated that the draft UGC regulations must not be implemented in their current form and must be integrated with the forthcoming 8th Pay Commission after extensive consultations with academic stakeholders. The association raised several issues such as overcrowded classrooms and labs, delays in the academic calendar, overburdened faculty and the unaligned nature of online courses like SWAYAM and MOOCs with DU's curriculum. DUTA also opposed the use of such platforms to earn academic credits, warning that it would dilute academic standards and undermine student-teacher engagement. DUTA treasurer Dr Akanksha Khurana said ill-planned policy implementation without infrastructure or feedback mechanisms could destabilise public universities and compromise NEP 2020's stated goals. The association also renewed demands for restoring MPhil and PhD increments, fair recognition of past ad-hoc service for promotions, removal of arbitrary caps on senior professor posts and a two-month timeline for processing promotions. DUTA vice president Dr Sudhanshu Kumar called for parity in service conditions across academic roles and immediate filling of vacancies through special recruitment drives, especially those pending due to the "Not Found Suitable" clause. Prof Aditya Narayan Misra said, "We're not against a four-year structure, but without required resources, it's bound to collapse. You've halved teaching hours, doubled student numbers and cut down practical sessions how does this enhance quality?" He added that teachers would be forced to take the path of demonstrations if their demands went unheard. According to the university's schedule, the fourth year of FYUP is set to roll out from August 1. Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh had earlier said the new structure would be a "game changer" focused on research, entrepreneurship and skill development but DUTA maintains that the current infrastructure and faculty strength are inadequate. DUTA concluded by urging the president and the Union education ministry to ensure all reforms are guided by academic freedom, teacher welfare and meaningful stakeholder engagement instead of top-down directives. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Recipe for failure': DU faculty petitions President over four-year UG programme
Calling the implementation of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) under NEP 2020 a 'recipe to failure,' the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) on Monday submitted a petition to the President of India, raising serious concerns over academic, infrastructural and policy gaps. Nearly 2,000 faculty members have endorsed the petition. Addressing a press conference, DUTA president Prof A K Bhagi said, 'Our biggest problem at present is that the fourth year under NEP (National Education Policy) 2020 is not feasible. We need manpower and funding for infrastructure expansion to accommodate the increased student intake, but we lack both.' DUTA has urged the withdrawal of the Draft UGC (University Grants Commission) Regulations, 2025, in the absence of the Pay Review Committee (PRC) report, and demanded urgent redressal of long-standing service-related concerns. The petition was submitted through the Ministry of Education to the president, who is also the visitor of the university. Prof Bhagi warned that without adequate faculty, infrastructure and classroom space, the implementation of FYUP would endanger students' futures. 'It's a recipe to fail. Financial help at the cost of academic independence will not be tolerated,' he said, demanding special assistance to colleges to upgrade facilities urgently. DUTA secretary Dr Anil Kumar reiterated that the draft UGC regulations must not be implemented in their current form and must be integrated with the forthcoming 8th Pay Commission after extensive consultations with academic stakeholders. The association raised several issues such as overcrowded classrooms and labs, delays in the academic calendar, overburdened faculty and the unaligned nature of online courses like SWAYAM and MOOCs with DU's curriculum. DUTA also opposed the use of such platforms to earn academic credits, warning that it would dilute academic standards and undermine student-teacher engagement. DUTA treasurer Dr Akanksha Khurana said ill-planned policy implementation without infrastructure or feedback mechanisms could destabilise public universities and compromise NEP 2020's stated goals. The association also renewed demands for restoring MPhil and PhD increments, fair recognition of past ad-hoc service for promotions, removal of arbitrary caps on senior professor posts and a two-month timeline for processing promotions. DUTA vice president Dr Sudhanshu Kumar called for parity in service conditions across academic roles and immediate filling of vacancies through special recruitment drives, especially those pending due to the 'Not Found Suitable' clause. Prof Aditya Narayan Misra said, 'We're not against a four-year structure, but without required resources, it's bound to collapse. You've halved teaching hours, doubled student numbers and cut down practical sessions — how does this enhance quality?' He added that teachers would be forced to take the path of demonstrations if their demands went unheard. According to the university's schedule, the fourth year of FYUP is set to roll out from August 1. Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh had earlier said the new structure would be a 'game changer' focused on research, entrepreneurship and skill development but DUTA maintains that the current infrastructure and faculty strength are inadequate. DUTA concluded by urging the president and the Union education ministry to ensure all reforms are guided by academic freedom, teacher welfare and meaningful stakeholder engagement instead of top-down directives.
