DU Drops Credit Bar for 2025-26 Batch, Teachers Question Sudden Move

New Delhi, October 03, 2026 The University of Delhi has made a one-time change to its promotion rules for students admitted in the 2025-26 academic session, removing a key credit requirement for their progression. The decision has triggered questions from teachers over the timing of the move, particularly as the affected students have already entered their third semester. Under the latest notification issued by the Controller of Examinations, students of the 2025-26 batch who have completed a year of study will no longer have to secure at least 28 credits out of 44 to qualify for promotion. The relaxation is restricted to this batch and will not apply to students from future academic sessions. The university said other provisions of its earlier notifications would remain unchanged and that the decision was approved by the competent authority. The move has drawn criticism from Delhi University Teachers' Federation secretary and Miranda House associate professor Abha Dev Habib, who questioned the absence of an explanation for the exemption. "Passing criteria for a specific batch (2025-26) are being relaxed without explaining which circumstances, hardships or systemic failure warrant such a change," Habib said. She also questioned whether the decision was prompted by a large number of students failing to meet the existing credit requirement and raised concerns about the possibility of selective benefit. Habib also pointed to the university's academic timeline, noting that third-semester classes began on July 28 while examination results continued to be declared through August. She questioned the basis for modifying promotion requirements after students had already moved into the next semester. "Transparency and stability of the examination system is an important aspect for a good university. DU is being systemically damaged," she said. Rudrashish Chakraborty, DTF treasurer, associate professor at Kirori Mal College and former Academic Council member, also questioned the decision. The university's notification does not specify what circumstances or difficulties led to the one-time relaxation. With the exemption limited to the 2025-26 batch, the decision has therefore raised broader questions among teachers about the timing of changes to academic requirements and the need for clarity in examination and promotion rules.