Delhi University NEP batch in limbo: 4,000 students wait for one-year master's seats
By TUF News Desk · Published 26 October 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Gaurav Sharma finished Hindi Honours with research at Kirori Mal College and scored among the higher performers in his batch. This year he could not get into the University of Delhi one-year master’s programme, and he is now taking a part-time course in Portuguese. The one-year master’s was meant to shorten his path to becoming an assistant professor by a year before a PhD or the NET exam. His case is now before the Delhi High Court, along with about 4,000 students from the university’s first four-year undergraduate batch who have no certainty of a seat. They have already lost the 2026-27 academic year. The court hears the matter next on October 27, after asking for a proposal that lets more students in without disturbing those already admitted.
How the seats ran out
The first batch entered Delhi University in 2022, when the university adopted the four-year structure under its Undergraduate Curriculum Framework. Around 23,000 students continued into the fourth year in 2025, while the rest left with a three-year degree.
Roughly 14,000 students applied for the one-year postgraduate programme. Dean of admissions Haneet Gandhi told The Indian Express that the university has only about 3,000 seats for the programme, including School of Open Learning (SOL) seats. About 1,800 students are admitted in the regular course, and nearly 4,000 under SOL. Petitioners say that still leaves 4,000 to 5,000 people who want a one-year regular master’s seat.
The priority system students are challenging
At least 50 to 60 students have been before the Delhi High Court since August, and around 100 petitioners have questioned the preference given to graduates with four-year honours degrees over those who completed general or programme undergraduate courses.
The dispute centres on the programme-specific eligibility priority system, which places candidates in levels from P1 to P4. P1 candidates, whose undergraduate qualification is directly relevant to the master’s programme, get first preference. P2 candidates, from other eligible backgrounds, are considered afterwards, subject to seat availability. One petition filed on September 16 raised the honours priority issue, and the university’s Grievance Redressal Committee was asked to examine it. The university has defended the preference, saying it rests on the academic structure and subject-specific exposure of the two undergraduate pathways.
What the university says
Delhi University has now introduced direct entry to a PhD for undergraduates, without NET as a prerequisite, subject to an entrance test and other criteria set by the university. The number of seats for that route is yet to be decided and will depend on how many apply.
Our guide on choosing a university in India and the central, state and private university explainer set out how regular, open learning and two-year postgraduate routes compare. Students should check the official University of Delhi website for the latest admission notices, since court directions can change the schedule at short notice.
Why teachers say the fourth year is losing takers
Teachers say the trouble started with the framework itself. When Delhi University introduced the curriculum framework in 2022, some Academic Council members objected to syllabi being approved in a hurry.
Enrolment in the fourth year is falling. The Delhi University Principals’ Association said in a July 10 letter that around 30 percent of students opted for the fourth year in 2025-26, with only limited interest so far for 2026-27. Rudrashish Chakraborty, associate professor of English at Kirori Mal College, said very few students enrolled this academic year because last year’s experience suggested they gained little from the extra year.
Frequently asked questions
How many Delhi University students are waiting for a one-year master’s seat?
About 4,000 students have no confirmed seat. Petitioners put regular-seat demand at 4,000 to 5,000.
When does the Delhi High Court hear the case next?
October 27, 2026, when the court seeks a proposal to admit more students.
Why did some students miss out on the one-year master’s programme?
Priority levels gave honours graduates in the relevant subject first preference. Students have challenged that system in court.
What options do affected students have now?
SOL seats, direct PhD entry subject to an entrance test, and the two-year master’s route.
Frequently asked questions
How many Delhi University students are waiting for a one-year master's seat?
About 4,000 students from the first four-year undergraduate batch have no confirmed seat, according to reporting on October 26, 2026. Petitioners before the court put the number wanting a regular seat at 4,000 to 5,000.
When does the Delhi High Court hear the case next?
October 27, 2026. The court has asked for a proposal that accommodates more students without disturbing those already admitted.
Why did some students miss out on the one-year master's programme?
Delhi University used programme-specific eligibility priority levels, with honours graduates in the directly relevant subject getting first preference. Students have challenged that priority system in court.
What options do affected students have now?
The university admits students to School of Open Learning seats and has introduced direct PhD entry for undergraduates, subject to an entrance test and other criteria. The two-year master's route also remains open for three-year graduates.
Sources: The Indian Express, The New Indian Express, Careers360