Delhi University to go ‘choice-based credit system’ way

The Delhi University has decided to go ahead with the introduction of Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) from the upcoming academic session, apparently without the “mandate” of the varsity’s Executive Council. In an official communication to deans of all faculties on April 29, DU’s joint registrar (academics) has directed them to start preparations for the implementation of CBCS.

The registrar’s communication came after a meeting between the vice-chancellor, Dinesh Singh, and the deans to discuss its implementation on April 23.

“I advise you to start the process of preparation of the syllabi for all undergraduate courses within the structure laid down by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The detailed guidelines, course structure, draft model syllabi for the 19 undergraduate courses which are available on UGC’s website may be carefully pursued by you before starting the process,” the letter said. Members of the executive council, which is the supreme decision making body of the varsity, said the matter has not been reported before it.

Recently, as many as 18 UGC-funded central universities have introduced Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels to bring about qualitative improvement in higher education. Minister of State for HRD Ram Shankar Katheria said in Lok Sabha during Question Hour session that UGC has been constantly persuading the universities to introduce academic reforms like introduction of semester system, CBCS and grading, to bring about qualitative improvement in higher education in the country.