Students' group KYS urges DU V-C to increase one-year PG seats
New Delhi, July 17
Students' organisation Krantikari Yuva Sangathan on Friday submitted a memorandum to Delhi University Vice- Chancellor Yogesh Singh seeking an increase in the number of one-year postgraduate seats.
Bhim Kumar, a representative of the KYS Delhi unit, said in a statement that DU was among the first higher education institutions in India to introduce the four-year undergraduate programme for all courses.
"The students who studied for an extra year now seek admission into one-year postgraduate courses. But unfortunately, the number of seats in one-year courses is restricted to just a few seats across 46 departments. In total, only around 1,100 seats are being offered by the university for one-year postgraduate courses," he said.
He claimed that, according to reports, more than 31,000 students are eligible to pursue one-year master's courses across various colleges in DU.
"Students opted for the fourth year in UG, thinking that they would seamlessly progress onto enrolling in one-year master's courses. This huge number of students makes it incumbent upon the University to immediately sanction more seats per course for one-year master's courses," he said.
The KYS said the increase in the number of one-year postgraduate seats is also required as the DU is among a select few universities across India that have rolled out the one-year course, making it nearly impossible for such a huge number of students to opt for master's courses elsewhere.
"Moreover, the measure of starting four-year undergraduate courses was in line with the National Education Policy 2020, which promised one-year master's courses to the four-year undergraduates. Now, however, this promise is being betrayed, and students' dreams are being shattered," said the KYS.
The KYS met the Dean, Students' Welfare, and handed him the memorandum demanding that seats for one-year postgraduate courses be increased substantially.
Bhim Kumar said that if the demand is not accepted, then the organisation will be forced to intensify the struggle.
— IANS
Reader Comments
True, but let's also remember that infrastructure and faculty are limited. Increasing seats without proper planning will dilute quality. The demand is justified, but the administration needs to ensure labs, classrooms, and teachers are also scaled up. Otherwise, it's just a numbers game.
I'm one of those 4th-year UG students and this is exactly why I chose the 4-year programme – the promise of a 1-year master's. Now I'm anxious about admissions. KYS is doing a good job by raising this issue. DU should honour its commitment under NEP. 🙏
It's interesting to see how NEP implementation is playing out on the ground. In the US, we have flexible master's programmes, but DU seems caught between policy and practicality. The disparity between 31,000 eligible students and 1,100 seats is striking. Hope a solution is found soon.
The KYS is right – this is a betrayal of trust. Students made life decisions based on a policy promise. But I also feel for the administration; they might be constrained by UGC norms or budget. Still, the least they can do is increase seats proportionately. Let's hope for pragmatic action, not just threats.
Respectfully, the KYS should also consider that many students from other universities want to come to DU for master's. It's not just about the 4-year UG graduates. But the root issue remains – DU needs to align NEP promises with ground reality. Solution? More funding, more capacity. Simple. 🏫