by Delhi University has announced an important change to its undergraduate promotion criteria under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and UGCF-2022. The university has provided a one-time exemption from the 28-credit requirement for students admitted to the 2025–26 academic session.
The decision is significant for thousands of Delhi University UG students who are completing their first year and were expected to meet the minimum credit requirement for promotion to the next academic year.
According to the latest university notification, students from the 2025–26 batch who have completed one year of study will not be required to secure 28 credits out of 44 credits for promotion. The relaxation is specifically for this batch and will not automatically apply to students admitted in subsequent academic years.
Delhi University Relaxes 28-Credit Promotion Rule
The latest decision changes the way the Delhi University promotion criteria will apply to the 2025–26 undergraduate batch.
Under the earlier framework, students were required to meet the prescribed credit requirement to progress to the next year of their undergraduate programme. The 28-credit rule was introduced as part of the university’s implementation of the NEP Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022.
Delhi University has now made a one-time exception for students admitted in 2025–26.
The relaxation means eligible students from this batch can be promoted without meeting the earlier requirement of obtaining 28 credits out of 44 credits after their first year.
Who Will Benefit From the New Delhi University Rule?
The exemption applies specifically to UG students admitted during the 2025–26 academic session.
Students who have completed one year of their programme and fall under this batch will receive the one-time relaxation from the 28-credit requirement.
However, students should note that the university has not removed the 28-credit framework permanently. The exemption is limited to the specified academic batch.
Students from later admission years should therefore continue to follow the promotion criteria notified by Delhi University for their respective academic session.
What Is the 28-Credit Rule at Delhi University?
The 28-credit requirement is connected to Delhi University’s implementation of the UGCF-2022, which was introduced in line with the broader objectives of NEP 2020.
Under a credit-based education system, students earn credits by successfully completing courses and academic requirements. These credits can then be used to determine academic progression and, under the wider UGC framework, support greater flexibility in higher education.
The UGC’s Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes promotes a flexible, multidisciplinary and student-centric approach to higher education. It also supports concepts such as multiple entry and exit and credit mobility.
Why Did Delhi University Introduce the Relaxation?
The latest notification does not provide a detailed explanation for why the university has introduced this one-time exemption.
However, the decision comes during the continuing implementation of the NEP 2020-based UGCF framework at Delhi University.
The university has made several changes to its academic and examination policies while adapting its undergraduate programmes to the new credit-based system.
Earlier, Delhi University had also revised its promotion criteria. In 2024, the university increased the overall passing requirement for promotion from the first year to the second year, with students required to meet a specified percentage across the first two semesters.
The latest relaxation therefore represents another change in the university’s approach to undergraduate academic progression.
Is the 28-Credit Exemption Permanent?
No.
This is one of the most important points for Delhi University students.
The latest exemption is described as a one-time measure for students admitted in the 2025–26 academic year. It does not mean that the 28-credit requirement has been permanently abolished for all future UG batches.
Students admitted in later academic sessions should follow the promotion requirements applicable to their batch.
What Happens to Other Delhi University Academic Requirements?
The credit exemption does not mean that students are completely free from academic requirements.
Other examination and academic provisions continue to apply unless specifically changed by the university.
Students should therefore check their Delhi University examination notifications, college notices and official academic instructions before assuming that all promotion conditions have been relaxed.
The university’s examination branch continues to publish notifications covering UG and PG examinations, promotion criteria and other academic matters.
Delhi University and NEP 2020: What Is Changing?
The latest decision should also be understood in the larger context of India’s higher education reforms.
The National Education Policy 2020 encourages universities to adopt more flexible academic structures, multidisciplinary learning and credit-based education.
The UGC’s undergraduate credit framework provides students with greater flexibility in choosing courses and building their academic pathways. The framework also supports multiple entry and exit options, credit accumulation and credit transfer.
Delhi University has been implementing its own UGCF-2022 framework as part of this broader transformation.
What Should Delhi University Students Do Now?
Students from the 2025–26 batch should not rely only on social media posts or unofficial explanations of the new rule.
They should:
- Check the latest Delhi University official notification.
- Confirm their admission year and programme.
- Check their completed credits.
- Review their semester examination results.
- Stay updated with college-level notices.
- Confirm any remaining academic requirements with their college.
- Follow future DU notifications regarding promotion and examinations.
This is particularly important because promotion policies can differ according to the academic session and the specific notification applicable to students.
Delhi University 28 Credit Rule: Key Points
The latest update can be summarised in five points:
1. One-time exemption: The 28-credit requirement has been relaxed for the specified 2025–26 UG batch.
2. 28 out of 44 credits: The exemption concerns the requirement to obtain 28 credits out of 44 after completing one year.
3. Limited to 2025–26: The relaxation does not automatically apply to future admission batches.
4. NEP and UGCF connection: The promotion framework is linked to Delhi University’s implementation of UGCF-2022 under the broader NEP 2020 reforms.
5. Other requirements remain: Students should continue following applicable examination and academic requirements.
Final Takeaway
The latest Delhi University 28-credit promotion rule update provides temporary relief to students admitted in the 2025–26 academic session. The one-time exemption means these students will not have to meet the usual requirement of securing 28 credits out of 44 for promotion after completing one year.
However, students should not interpret the decision as the permanent removal of the 28-credit promotion system.
As Delhi University continues implementing NEP 2020 and UGCF-2022, students should regularly check official university notifications for changes to promotion, examinations, credits and degree requirements.
For the latest updates, students should rely primarily on the official Delhi University Examination Branch and university notifications rather than unofficial social media information.
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