DU executive council to consider BA programme restructuring, key infrastructure proposals

Delhi University’s (DU) Executive Council (EC) is set to consider recommendations on restructuring of courses and combinations under its BA Programme in different colleges for the academic session 2026–27, according to the agenda of the meeting scheduled for next Wednesday.

The proposal, which follows the April 15 Academic Council (AC) recommendations, recommends accepting the suggestions of a committee constituted to review the realignment of disciplines and combinations offered across colleges, with an aim to optimise seat utilisation and academic offerings.

The committee comprises key university officials, including the Dean of Colleges, Registrar, Dean (Academics), Dean (Admissions), and principals of several colleges such as Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, Miranda House and Daulat Ram College.

According to the agenda, colleges have been advised to review disciplines under their BA Programme and reconsider combinations where student demand is low or seats remain vacant. It suggests merging certain disciplines into broader combinations to enhance viability.

“For example, disciplines like Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Bengali, Telgu may be offered with one other discipline, as a single BA programme combination, ” the document noted.

Similarly, combinations like Social Work, Sociology or Education may be paired with more popular disciplines, it mentioned. The proposal also recommends revisiting certain subjects currently offered.

Courses such as OMSP (Office Management and Secretarial Practice) and AMSP may be reconsidered by the Department of Commerce, with colleges advised to replace them with “Commerce” as a discipline in BA combinations, the document further stated.

In another change, subjects like Food Technology and Human Development and Family Empowerment (HDFE) may be subsumed under a broader “Community Science” discipline.

The document clarifies that colleges will not be allowed to alter the total sanctioned intake capacity of a programme. However, they may increase seats within an existing programme if adequate faculty and infrastructure are available.

It further emphasises that no new programmes will be introduced and no existing programmes will be discontinued as part of the restructuring exercise.

The recommendations are based on discussions held in a series of meetings with multiple colleges at the Vice Regal Lodge earlier this year. If approved by the Executive Council, the changes will be implemented from the 2026–27 academic session.

The council is also set to consider the recommendations of the Finance Committee on key infrastructure proposals, including an in-principle approval of Rs 174.20 crore for a new building of the Institute of Nano Medical Sciences at Maurice Nagar.

It is also likely to consider a revised estimate of Rs 233.35 crore for the construction of studio apartments at Dhaka Complex with partial funding through a HEFA loan.

It is also expected to take up the issue of modifications to the plan for two academic blocks at the Delhi School of Economics, where the built-up area has been adjusted in view of reduced tree felling while retaining the earlier approved cost framework.