Delhi University’s recently unveiled provisional exam timetable for undergraduate semester exams has ignited fierce opposition from faculty members. They argue that the proposed schedule, which runs from December 10, 2025, to January 30, 2026, directly clashes with the start of new even semester classes on January 2, creating a disruptive month-long overlap between examinations and regular instruction.
Teachers Highlight Practical Challenges
Both the Delhi University Teachers’ Front (DTF) and various Academic Council representatives have voiced significant worries regarding the practicality of managing both teaching and examinations concurrently. Mithuraj Dhusiya, a member of DU’s Academic Council, expressed grave concern, stating, “This is a matter of great concern, there will be a massive overlap of one month of both regular classes and exams in January 2026.” He pointed out that while previous overlaps were blamed on a staggered academic calendar, such a justification no longer exists. Dhusiya questioned how students could be expected to take exams and attend new classes for an entire month, and further challenged the university’s ability to run both offline exams and classes simultaneously, noting that despite an official stance on offline instruction, colleges often resort to online classes during such overlaps.
Academic Integrity at Stake
Abha Dev Habib, Secretary of the DTF and an Associate Professor at Miranda House, strongly criticized the proposed schedule, calling it “poor planning and disregard for academic integrity.” She elaborated on the logistical nightmare, explaining that “Lakhs of students are supposed to take exams and attend next semester’s classes simultaneously. Teachers are expected to teach, invigilate, and evaluate at the same time.” Habib also highlighted the severe shortage of space, especially with School of Open Learning (SOL) and Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB) exams running concurrently, which would inevitably force many colleges to switch to online classes. She implored the university to extend the winter break until all major examinations are completed. Further condemning the situation, Rudrashish Chakraborty, an elected member of the DUTA Executive, labeled it “a theatre of the absurd,” stating, “Clearly we are not teaching in a University! It’s a circus all over the place.” He emphasized that the entire month of January would be consumed by end-semester exams, rendering effective teaching impossible even if classes were moved online, and forcing teachers to juggle multiple demanding roles simultaneously.
Calls for Revision
In light of these widespread concerns, teachers are urgently appealing to Delhi University to rethink the provisional timetable. They stress that a revised schedule is crucial to prevent significant academic disruption and uphold educational quality. Experts caution that maintaining the current overlap would likely lower teaching standards, negatively impact student performance, and lead to delayed result declarations. As the chorus of criticism intensifies, the university is under increasing pressure to adjust its academic calendar, ensuring both students and faculty can fully dedicate themselves to examinations and classroom instruction without undue conflict.