PhD coursework at Delhi University revamped with unified 12–16 credit structure

New Delhi: In a significant academic reform, the University of Delhi (DU) has approved a standardised PhD coursework structure for research scholars, effective from the 2025–26 academic session. The decision was taken during a recent meeting of the university’s Academic Council chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh.

Under the new guidelines, all PhD students across departments will be required to complete a uniform coursework component valued between 12 and 16 credits. The curriculum is designed to ensure a consistent research foundation and will include core subjects such as research methodology, publication ethics, and training in research tools, among other discipline-specific modules.

The revised structure aims to strengthen research quality and ensure that doctoral candidates across the university possess essential skills before progressing to intensive research work. Departments will have the flexibility to offer electives or additional credits tailored to specific fields, but the core requirements will remain consistent throughout DU.

The council also discussed broader academic reforms, including expansion of medical courses and initiatives to support faculty recruitment and research development. However, the meeting witnessed sharp dissent from some council members over ongoing hiring practices and other institutional policies, highlighting concerns about reliance on guest faculty and calls for greater transparency in hiring.

The PhD coursework overhaul marks one of the major academic decisions made by DU this year, reflecting the university’s ongoing efforts to enhance research standards and align doctoral training with contemporary academic requirements.