Delhi University's ambitious Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP), introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, was designed to offer students greater flexibility through multiple exit and re-entry options. However, four years after its rollout, new data obtained by TOI suggests that most students are continuing with the traditional three-year degree route, while a large number are opting out before the optional fourth year.
The findings indicate that the flexibility built into the system has seen limited use, raising questions about student awareness, employability concerns and the appeal of the research-focused fourth year.
Data shows minimal use of DU's multiple exit option
Under the FYUP framework, students can exit after the first year with a certificate, after the second year with a diploma, after the third year with a bachelor's degree, and after the fourth year with an honours or honours-with-research degree.
The policy also allows students to return later and continue from where they left without losing academic credits.
However, according to TOI, colleges across Delhi University have reported almost no formal exits after the first or second year. Instead, most students continue until the end of the third year, suggesting that a bachelor's degree remains the minimum qualification many associate with employment and further studies.
Why are students skipping the fourth year?
While early exits remain rare, a significant number of students are choosing not to continue into the fourth year.
Several prominent colleges have reported retention rates of only 30 to 40 per cent for the final year of the programme.
According to data cited by TOI:
- Lady Shri Ram College retained around 380 students from an original batch of 1,100.
- Miranda House retained approximately 600 students from 1,600.
- Hindu College retained around 300 students from 1,000.
- Sri Venkateswara College retained 405 students from 1,289.
The pattern suggests that a majority of students still view a three-year degree as sufficient for entering the job market or pursuing higher education.
DU colleges report low awareness of exit and re-entry provisions
College principals believe that low awareness may be one reason why the multiple entry-exit system has not been widely adopted.
Speaking to TOI, Ramjas College principal Ajay Arora said the institution received only one formal exit request after the first year. He noted that many students who leave do not formally avail themselves of the certificate or diploma options available under the system.
According to administrators, the framework remains relatively new, and many students are still unfamiliar with how the re-entry mechanism works.
Data on how many students have actually returned after exiting midway is not yet available because the current graduating cohort is the first batch under the FYUP structure.
Is the fourth year attracting research-oriented students?
One of the key objectives of the fourth year is to encourage undergraduate research and prepare students for postgraduate studies and academic careers.
College authorities told TOI that many students continuing into the fourth year are those planning to pursue research, higher education or academic careers.
However, some faculty members believe the reality may be more complicated.
Professor Pankaj Garg of Rajdhani College told TOI that there is currently no academic benchmark or screening process for students entering the fourth year.
According to him, students staying back may include those preparing for competitive examinations, those with back papers or those who have not secured admission elsewhere, rather than only those genuinely interested in research.
Should Delhi University introduce eligibility criteria for the fourth year?
The latest figures have sparked discussion about whether Delhi University should introduce academic requirements for entry into the fourth year.
Professor Garg suggested that eligibility benchmarks could help ensure that the honours-with-research component remains focused on students who have a genuine interest in academic research.
Supporters of this idea argue that such measures could improve the quality of undergraduate research and strengthen the original purpose of the FYUP model.
What does the FYUP offer students?
The Four-Year Undergraduate Programme provides several academic pathways:
- Exit after one year: Certificate
- Exit after two years: Diploma
- Exit after three years: Bachelor's degree
- Exit after four years: Honours or Honours-with-Research degree
Students completing the traditional three-year degree can pursue a two-year master's programme, while FYUP graduates are eligible for a one-year master's degree in many cases.
The framework was introduced to provide greater flexibility and reduce the academic impact of personal, financial or health-related interruptions.
What the latest DU data tells us
The data obtained by TOI highlights an interesting trend. While Delhi University's multiple exit and re-entry provisions were designed to offer flexibility, most students continue to favour the conventional three-year degree path.
At the same time, the substantial drop in enrolment before the fourth year suggests that many students are yet to be convinced of the practical benefits of spending an additional year on campus.
As more FYUP batches graduate and re-entry data becomes available, the true impact of the policy on student choices and academic outcomes will become clearer.
Inputs from agencies
