DU opens direct PhD route for eligible four-year UG graduates in 2026-27

Delhi University’s four-year undergraduate graduates of 2026 may apply directly for PhD programmes without first completing a master’s degree.

The one-session provision applies to FYUP students with a minimum CGPA of 7.5. For SC/ST students, the eligibility threshold is 7 CGPA. DU incorporated the measure into its ordinances after approval from its Academic Council and Executive Council.

The measure applies to the first FYUP cohort, which joined DU in 2022-23. Of the 75,948 students admitted that year, more than 40,000 exited after the third year in 2025, while about 35,943 continued to the fourth year.

DU describes the fourth year as a research- and entrepreneurship-focused part of undergraduate study. Students choosing academic projects must identify a real-time problem and work towards a solution. The direct PhD route is a special measure for the 2026-27 academic session.