New Delhi: As the National Education Policy’s flagship reform — the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) — enters its crucial final year, data from Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) shows that only about half of its first FYUP batch has chosen to continue into the seventh semester, offering a first look at how students are responding to the new system.AUD was the first institution in Delhi to roll out FYUP in 2022–23, making it an early test case for the policy’s reception on the ground.According to the data obtained from the university, while the BA Psychology programme leads with an 87% opt-in rate and Hindi follows at 78%, the overall continuation average remains around 50%. That means nearly half the students walked away — either with a three-year degree or an exit certificate — in what was supposed to be a “research-intensive” honours year under the NEP framework.Terming it a “significant milestone” in its NEP implementation journey, the university said the continuation into the final year reflects a growing interest among students in deeper academic engagement.“The strong response to the fourth year of the undergraduate programme is a testament to the confidence our students have in our academic offerings and faculty,” vice-chancellor Prof Anu Singh Lather told TOI. “It also reflects a maturing academic environment where students are seeking deeper engagement with their disciplines and preparing themselves for research and higher education.”According to AUD, the decision to continue into the final year was observed across all undergraduate programmes, with most of the “conventionally established” courses showing higher acceptance. However, full programme-wise opt-in data for the fourth year beyond Psychology and Hindi could not be obtained. The university did not provide data on the full strength of its FYUP batch.Meanwhile, responding to a query on its preparedness to handle the increased workload in an additional academic year, AUD said “physical and human infrastructure has been adequately augmented to support the expanded curriculum”.AUD also pointed to its existing financial support mechanisms as a key enabler for students opting in, stating: “The university is already providing various fee waivers, including almost no fee for SC, ST and PwD students. A strong merit scholarship component is also in place.” To better understand student choices in the coming years, the university said it plans to conduct a survey to identify the key factors influencing decisions to opt out of the fourth year. These may include financial challenges, academic fatigue, job preparation, entrance exam coaching or lack of clarity about the benefits of continuing. The aim, officials said, is to ensure better retention and stronger support systems going forward.
