The University of Delhi has introduced a one-time relaxation in its promotion criteria for students enrolled in the 2025–26 academic session. Under the revised arrangement, students who have completed their first year will not be required to meet the existing threshold of 28 credits out of a possible 44 to progress to the next academic stage.

The measure applies exclusively to the 2025–26 batch. Students enrolled in later academic sessions will continue to be governed by the existing credit requirement.

The decision was communicated through a notification issued by the university's Controller of Examinations. The order states that the remaining provisions contained in previous examination-related notifications will continue to apply. It also indicates that the relaxation was approved by the competent authority.

However, the notification does not explain the circumstances that led the university to introduce the exception or identify any particular difficulty faced by students that prompted the change.

Teachers Seek Greater Clarity

The decision has raised questions among sections of the Delhi University teaching community, particularly regarding the timing of the relaxation and the absence of an explanation for why the established requirement was changed for only one academic cohort.

Abha Dev Habib, secretary of the Delhi University Teachers' Federation and an associate professor at Miranda House, questioned the basis for introducing the exemption. She argued that any departure from an established academic requirement should be accompanied by a clear explanation of the circumstances behind it.

She also raised the possibility that a significant number of students may have been unable to meet the original credit threshold. According to her, this could raise questions about whether the relaxation was introduced in response to a particular academic outcome and whether all affected students would benefit equally.

Timing of the Relaxation Draws Attention

Another issue highlighted by teachers is the point at which the decision was announced.

Third-semester classes reportedly began on July 28, while examination results for the preceding academic year were still being released during August. This has led to questions about whether promotion requirements should be altered after students have already advanced into the subsequent semester.

Teachers have stressed that examination and promotion rules need to remain predictable and consistently applied. They argue that unexplained changes to academic requirements can create uncertainty for students and raise concerns about the credibility of the university's assessment framework.

Concerns About NEP Implementation

Rudrashish Chakraborty, treasurer of the Delhi University Teachers' Federation, associate professor in the English department at Kirori Mal College and a former member of the university's Academic Council, also questioned the move.

He linked the development to broader concerns about the implementation of the National Education Policy, particularly the increasing academic workload and the larger number of papers students are required to handle under the revised structure.

Chakraborty criticised what he viewed as shortcomings in the university's preparation and implementation process. He also raised concerns about whether the relaxation could have the effect of extending an advantage to a particular student or group, including students with political connections.

University Yet to Explain Basis for Exception

The university's notification confirms that the relaxation is intended as a one-time measure for the 2025–26 cohort, while leaving the existing framework intact for subsequent batches.

It does not, however, provide details about the circumstances behind the decision, the number of students potentially affected, or the specific academic or administrative considerations that led to the exemption.

The development has therefore shifted attention from the relaxation itself to questions about transparency, consistency and the way examination rules are being implemented under DU's evolving academic framework.