DU opens direct PhD route for four-year UG students; 7.5 CGPA required

Delhi University has introduced a one-time direct admission route to PhD programmes for students completing its four-year undergraduate programme in 2026, allowing eligible graduates to pursue a PhD without completing a master’s degree first. DU has received 12,111 applications from 35,943 fourth-year students for one-year postgraduate programmes 2026-27.

DU has also allowed eligible fourth-year students to apply directly for PhD programmes after completing FYUP, with a minimum 7.5 CGPA required for general category students and 7 CGPA for SC/ST students, subject to university rules. According to a DU press release issued on August 21, the applications account for 34.27% of the students who continued in the fourth year.

The university is offering 5,857 seats across 46 one-year postgraduate programmes under the Postgraduate Curriculum Framework (PGCF). DU said the number of seats is higher than those offered by other universities, citing Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which has offered four programmes with 71 seats, and Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), which has offered seven programmes with 210 seats.

For the 2026-27 academic session, DU has continued the same number of seats for its one-year PG programmes for students who complete the fourth year of FYUP .

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DU FYUP fourth-year students and PG applications

DU said it admitted 75,948 students in 2022 under the first batch of FYUP introduced through the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Of these, 40,005 students exited at the end of the third year in 2025, while 35,943 students continued to the fourth year.

The university said the optional fourth year was introduced to strengthen research and entrepreneurship in undergraduate education and align Indian degrees with global standards while producing academically rigorous graduates.

Of the 35,943 students who continued in the fourth year, 12,111 applied for one-year PG programmes for the 2026-27 academic session.

The university has offered 5,857 seats across 46 programmes through its one-year PG framework. DU said the number of available seats is equivalent to 48.36% of the number of applicants.

The press release states that the total seats comprise 2,807 seats in regular mode and 3,035 seats in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode.

FYUP students can apply directly for PhD

Delhi University has also aligned the academic progression of fourth-year FYUP students with its PhD programmes. The university has amended its ordinances to allow eligible fourth-year students to apply directly for PhD programmes after completing their FYUP.

According to the university, students who complete the fourth-year programme with a minimum 7.5 CGPA can apply for PhD programmes. For students belonging to the SC/ST categories, the minimum requirement is 7 CGPA.

The amendment was approved by the Academic Council and Executive Council, according to the press release.

For the first batch of students completing FYUP in 2026, DU will admit students meeting the 7.5 CGPA requirement, or 7 CGPA for SC/ST students, directly to PhD programmes for the 2026-27 academic session, subject to the university's rules.

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DU promotes research and entrepreneurship through FYUP

The university said the FYUP has also introduced competency enhancement in areas such as skill-based courses, internships, apprenticeships and community outreach. It has also created a special track for entrepreneurship, with support for startups and innovation through the Udhmodya Foundation.

The university said 25 colleges have established skill development centres with funding from the university.

The university also said students opting for academic projects in the fourth year are expected to work on real-time problems and find solutions, giving them an opportunity to engage with real-world study and research.

The new academic progression framework is aimed at providing fourth-year FYUP students with both one-year postgraduate study options and a direct pathway to PhD programmes for those who meet the prescribed academic requirements.