DU 28/44 Credit Rule Relaxed for 2025–26 Batch: Could This Change Your Promotion Status?

DU 28/44 Credit Rule Relaxed for 2025–26 Batch: What Students Need to Know

New Delhi: University of Delhi (DU) has announced a one-time relaxation of its 28-credit promotion rule for students of the 2025–26 batch. This means that students from the specified group who have completed one year of their studies will not be obliged to secure the prescribed 28 out of 44 credits for the purpose of being promoted to the next academic year.

The decision is applicable to undergraduate students studying under the NEP-UGCF 2022 framework but also raised questions among parts of the teaching community at Delhi University regarding the timing of the announcement.

DU 28/44 Credit Relaxation: 2025–26 Batch

What Has Delhi University Changed?

Under DU's existing promotion framework, students who complete their first year of study are required to gain at least 28 credits out of 44 in order to be promoted to the subsequent academic year. DU's latest notification provides a one-time exemption from that rule for students of the 2025–26 academic batch who have completed one year of study.

The university stated that the relaxation had been approved by the competent authority, and that other provisions contained in earlier notifications would remain unchanged. Importantly, this should not be read as a cancellation of all academic or examination requirements in DU. The notification refers specifically to the 28-credit promotion criterion for the identified batch.

Why Does the Decision Matter to DU Students?

For students who were not able to reach the minimum number of 28 credits, this exemption could have an impact on their academic progress by allowing them to continue into the next academic year without meeting that particular condition. The development may be of relevance to those students who were waiting to learn whether they would be able to continue with their studies after completing the first academic year.

DU's Examination Wing continues to list notifications relating to the passing and promotion criteria under NEP-UGCF 2022, including the 28-credit rule. Students should, therefore, make a distinction between the one-time exemption for the 2025–26 batch and the general credit rules that continue to apply to other academic batches.

Teachers Question the Timing of DU's Decision

DU's announced relaxation has drawn questions from some of the university's teachers, specifically regarding the timing and communication of the decision. According to reports, the second-semester exams for the affected group of first-year students were held in May and June, and results declared in August. A subsequent notification of the relaxation followed in October, after students had already progressed to their third semester.

Professor Mithuraaj Dhusiya, a DU Executive Council member, asked why the decision was taken several weeks after the announcement of results. Miranda House professor Abha Dev Habib also questioned the adequacy of time for communicating a major academic decision, and raised the point that third-semester classes had already started. These are faculty concerns and do not represent statements by the university that the relaxation was improper. DU's own notification makes no mention of the circumstances which led to a one-time exemption.

What About Students Already in the Third Semester?

The timing is particularly of relevance because the students who fall under the relaxation have already progressed to their third semester. Teachers quoted in media reports have indicated that the students who previously had insufficient credits would be given little time to prepare for the upcoming examinations.

At the same time, the exemption provides clarity for the affected group on the condition for progressing under the specific 28-credit requirement. Students should consult DU's examination notifications and instructions from their college to see how the relaxation applies to their individual records.

Is the 28-Credit Exemption Permanent?

No. The relaxation is a one-time measure for the 2025–26 academic batch. DU has stated that it would not apply to other batches. It is an important distinction for students and their parents, following DU's credit-based academic system. The latest decision does not, by itself, revise the promotion criteria for future admissions.

What Should DU Students Do Now?

Students who fall under the 2025–26 exemption should:

• Check the latest DU examination notification.
• Confirm their respective status with their college.
• Keep track of the examination schedules and forms for the semester.
• Continue to complete required coursework and credits.
• Follow instruction from their college and university for promotion and examinations.
• Avoid assuming that the exemption cancels other academic requirements.

For students, the practical takeaway on the development is straightforward: the 28-out-of-44 credit condition has been relaxed for this specific batch, but other academic and examination provisions continue to be relevant. The development also demonstrates how important the timing and communication of academic-policy decisions can be, particularly when students have already progressed into a new semester.

FAQs

Q1. What is DU's 28/44 credit relaxation for 2025-26?

Delhi University has given a one-time exemption from the 28 out of 44 credits requirement for promotion to eligible students from the 2025-26 batch who have completed a year of study.

Q2. Which DU students are eligible for the 28-credit exemption?

The exemption was offered to students of the 2025-26 academic batch who have completed one year of study.

Q3. Will the DU's policy of 28-credit relaxation be applicable to future batches?

No. DU clarified that the 28-credit relaxation would only be applicable to the 2025-26 batch and not to future batches.

Q4. Does DU's relaxation mean all passing requirements were done away with?

No. The DU's notification specifies that it offered an exemption from the 28 out of 44 credits requirement for promotion. Other provisions have been left untouched.

Q5. Why are teachers questioning DU's decision?

Some teachers have questioned DU's decision on the timing and communication of the decision. They have expressed their concern saying that it was announced late and came after results had been declared and that the students of this batch had already joined the third semester.

Q6. When Were The Du's 2025-26 First-Year Results Declared?

According to reports, the second-semester exams of DU's 2025-26 batch were held in May and June with results declared in August 2026.

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