Delhi University Introduces One-Year PG for FYUP Graduates in 2026; Key Details & Eligibility

New Delhi: The Delhi University is going to introduce detailed guidelines for a one-year postgraduate program as its first batch of four-year undergraduate program (FYUP) students graduate in 2026. 

This is a key restructuring of the master's framework under the National Education Policy. The new format will be run alongside the second year of the existing two-year PG structure and is the first major change in DU's postgraduate model since the implementation of FYUP.

As per the vice-chancellor's directives from the November meeting, admission to the first year is restricted to students from Delhi University who possess a four-year undergraduate degree with a major in the matching field. Selection will depend on academic performance.

The one-year MA or MSc will be available only in those departments where a corresponding four-year undergraduate major is offered. Students with a three-year bachelor's degree or a four-year UG degree with a minor will be allowed to continue under the current two-year PG structure.

Smaller humanities departments can admit up to 40% of their maximum student enrollment. Science departments with labs are capped at 20%, while larger departments will use a fixed-cap system.

There are three ways to get a degree: just classes, classes and research, or just research. Which one you can do depends on your grades, how many credits you have, and if you're ready for research. 

You can't retake graduate courses if you already took them in your fourth year of undergrad and the material is more than 30% the same. Also, if you completed a four-year undergraduate degree and want to pursue a two-year master's degree, you may be able to skip some of the first-year master's requirements based on what you already know. 

If you studied at least four DSEs(Discipline Specific Electives) in your fourth year, you don't have to study the discipline-specific elective of the first year of your PG program.

The one-year option will initially not be available for all programs. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, journalism, linguistics, and Russian classes (until 2027–2028) will continue to only offer the two-year master's program. Programs such as biophysics, genetics, forensic science, MBA, MFA, physiotherapy, and public health will also use the old structure.

These rules were announced on November 25. Departments should now be working on seat availability, faculty assignments, and course schedules before the 2026 start.