New Delhi: The University of Delhi (DU) has opened a direct PhD pathway for the first batch of students completing its four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP), allowing eligible graduates to apply for doctoral programmes without a master’s degree. The special provision has been introduced for the 2026-27 academic session, as the first batch of students has completed the FYUP this year. Under the decision, FYUP graduates with a minimum 7.5 CGPA can apply directly for PhD programmes.
For SC/ST students, the minimum requirement is 7 CGPA. The measure has been introduced in the interest of students completing the first FYUP batch and will apply only for the 2026-27 academic session, subject to university rules.
Why has Delhi University introduced direct PhD admission?
The decision is linked to the structure of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The four-year degree is designed to provide students with greater academic flexibility and opportunities for research, entrepreneurship and skill development.
Since the first batch of FYUP students has now completed the programme, DU has created a direct academic pathway to doctoral studies, which allows eligible students to move towards a PhD without having to complete a separate master’s degree.
The university has also amended its ordinances to align the academic progression of FYUP students with its PhD programmes.
Who can apply for direct PhD after FYUP?
For the 2026-27 academic session, students who have completed the FYUP at Delhi University can be considered for direct admission to PhD programmes if they meet the required academic criteria.
- General eligibility: Minimum 7.5 CGPA in FYUP
- SC/ST candidates: Minimum 7 CGPA
- Degree: Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP)
- Admission session: 2026-27
- Route: Directly to PhD without a master’s degree
The university has amended its ordinances to provide the required academic pathway for eligible FYUP students to progress directly to PhD programmes. DU has described this as a special measure for the first batch of FYUP graduates.
DU’s Four-Year UG Programme and PhD Pathway
The University of Delhi began its FYUP under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework 2022 (UGCF) based on NEP 2020. According to the university, the first batch began the programme in the 2022-23 academic session. The FYUP was designed to give undergraduate students greater opportunities for academic research, skill development, internships, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship, including research and academic work during the fourth year. The university has also encouraged students to take up academic projects and research-related work during the fourth year.
Delhi: The University of Delhi has announced a direct PhD pathway for students completing its four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP), allowing eligible graduates to apply for doctoral programmes without pursuing a master’s degree.
In the interest of the first batch of students… pic.twitter.com/PyQEXq8xD5
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2026
The university’s press release also highlighted its One-Year Postgraduate (PG) Programme under the Postgraduate Curriculum Framework (PGCF). DU is offering the one-year PG programme in 46 programmes with 5,857 seats for the 2026-27 academic session. The university said 12,111 fourth-year students applied for the One-Year PG Programme. This represents 34.27 per cent of the 35,943 students who continued into the fourth year of the FYUP.
The figures show that a significant number of FYUP students have applied for the one-year postgraduate route, while the new direct PhD provision will give academically strong students another option to continue into research.
Direct PhD Admission is Currently a 2026-27 Measure
Students should note that the direct PhD provision is a special measure for the 2026-27 academic session and has not been announced as a permanent admission route. The university has specifically said that students completing FYUP will be admitted directly to PhD programmes under this provision only for the 2026-27 academic session as a special measure. Therefore, candidates should check the university’s official admission rules and PhD notifications before applying.
