UGCF-2022 Archives - DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

Delhi University introduces greater flexibility in minor subject selection under UGCF, removing GE paper restrictions to promote interdisciplinary learning and ease progression to postgraduate studies.

In a significant academic reform aligned with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Delhi University (DU) has announced greater flexibility for undergraduate students in choosing their minor disciplines under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF). The university released a notification on Tuesday making it clear that students will no longer be required to opt for specific General Elective (GE) papers in order to pursue a particular subject as a minor.

Until now, students aiming to take up a subject as a minor had to select related GE papers in earlier semesters. This often restricted academic freedom, particularly for those wishing to explore disciplines outside their primary area of study. The latest move by DU removes this limitation, thus widening the scope for interdisciplinary education. According to the official notification, the minor can now be chosen independent of the GE papers taken earlier. This change is expected to benefit students who are aiming for postgraduate studies in fields apart from their major, as it will now be easier to qualify for diverse academic paths without being confined by past elective choices.

A senior university official explained that the structure was originally implemented to uphold academic standards and ensure that students had sufficient subject familiarity before applying for postgraduate programs.

This reform is part of a broader shift in Indian higher education policy. The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently introduced new guidelines that promote flexibility and student autonomy in selecting both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The 2025 UGC reforms have made it clear that any student, regardless of their academic background, can pursue a postgraduate course in any discipline, provided they clear the requisite entrance examination. In this context, Delhi University’s step appears both timely and in alignment with national academic trends.

For students, the revised policy means greater agency in shaping their academic trajectory. A student majoring in political science, for instance, can now opt for a minor in economics or philosophy without having taken prior GE papers in those disciplines. However, sceptics believe that this will result in a non-proficient academic career. A student who would obtain a minor in a non-parent subject would not be acquainted with this discipline well enough. Having studied GE papers of one subject would at least instill a sense of familiarity with the discipline.

Feature Image source- Telegraph India

Madhav Choudhary

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Two members of the Executive Council of Delhi University have sent a letter to the Vice-Chancellor urging him to make amendments to the recently-approved UGCF-2022. Read to find out more.

Recently, members of the Executive Council Of Delhi University have written to the Vice-Chancellor, Yogesh Singh, urging him to make amendments to the recently approved Undergraduate Curriculum Framework-2022 (UGCF-2022) which is planned to be implemented from the academic year 2022-23.

The framework, which was formulated by the National Education Policy (NEP) cell, has come to face opposition by a section of teachers. Claiming that this may lead to a dilution of the “academic rigour”, two Executive Council members, Seema Das and Rajpal Singh Pawar, have pointed out the shortcomings of the framework in their letter.

…. Based on New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022 has been haphazardly made by an extra-statutory body, i.e. NEP Cell, leading to the dilution of academic rigour,” the letter read (Source- PTI).

The reduction of the overall required credit from 196 to 176 in four years and 148 to 132 in three years would end up significantly reducing the workload. Thus, the new curriculum would lead to a massive displacement of the teaching staff, especially of the ad hoc teachers, as highlighted by the letter.

As per authentic information, the student-teacher ratio is being doubled in comparison to the present student-teacher ratio across subject/ discipline by the UGC and hence, the University of Delhi… This will drastically reduce workload,” the letter read further (Source- PTI).

The removal of English, as a compulsory language course under BA and BCom and as an option under Ability Enhancement Courses, will also significantly affect the workload of the English department in colleges.

Furthermore, the total weightage of the CBCS/ LOCF core papers has also been reduced from 70-75% to 45-50% under the new framework, reducing workload even further.

Additionally, under DU’s recent directive, no ad hoc or guest teacher can be appointed until every already-employed teacher is taking 16 periods per week. It is believed that this will lead to a situation where the importance of quality research is grossly underestimated and which will ignore the “importance of research done by the faculty members.”

NEP’s Multi Entry-Exit system (MEES) and Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) are also believed to institutionalise “a fluctuating workload and roster” which will hamper “the implementation of the constitutionally obligatory provisions of reservation for SC/ST/OBC/EWS in teaching jobs.”

We request you [the VC] to consider and take into account the above-mentioned facts in the course of implementation of the UGCF and bring the required amendments without any further delay,” thus, the members have urged in their letter.

Feature Image: University of Delhi official

Manasvi Kadian

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