Delhi University (DU) has announced a significant change to its undergraduate curriculum, allowing fourth-year students to earn extra credits to qualify for a major. This decision, which relaxes credit limits under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022, will be implemented starting from the 2025-26 academic session.

The move addresses concerns from students who were nearing the completion of their four-year program but were unable to secure a major due to falling short of the required core discipline credits. Under the existing UGCF provisions, students in the eighth semester were limited to a maximum of 22 credits. This restriction often left students with insufficient flexibility to take additional core papers needed to fulfill major eligibility criteria, resulting in the completion of their undergraduate studies without formally being awarded a major.

According to the revised notification, fourth-year students can now take up to eight credits above the prescribed limit, increasing the maximum credit load in the final semester to 30 credits. These extra credits can be used to complete any pending core discipline requirements, enabling students to meet the criteria for declaring a major. A major signifies a student's primary field of study, characterized by the highest number of completed core courses and credits, and determines the main subject of the degree. A minor, on the other hand, is a secondary subject pursued alongside a major, requiring fewer credits.

This relaxation of credit limits is expected to benefit students planning to pursue postgraduate studies, where a formally declared major is often a key requirement for eligibility. Moreover, this change aligns Delhi University's undergraduate program with the four-year model followed by many international universities, promoting deeper exploration of subjects and potentially providing students with an advantage when applying for jobs or higher education.

Furthermore, Delhi University is providing more flexibility for students enrolled in BA, BSc, and BCom programs, enabling them to pursue additional electives and research in their fourth year to obtain an honors degree. Students can opt for additional discipline-specific electives (DSE) and a skill-based elective (SEC) in their seventh and eighth semesters. Those enrolled in Honours programs who complete four years will receive an "honours with research" degree, while students in Programme courses will receive an "honours" degree after four years.

The university's decision reflects a commitment to adapting to the evolving needs of its students and aligning with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. By allowing students to earn additional credits and pursue diverse academic paths, Delhi University aims to enhance the quality and relevance of its undergraduate programs.