7.5 CGPA? DU Offers Direct PhD Entry
Delhi University introduces direct PhD entry pathway for high-achieving Four-Year Undergraduate Programme graduates with a minimum CGPA of 7.5, bypassing the need for a master's degree
Delhi University has introduced a direct PhD entry pathway for high-achieving graduates of its Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) with a minimum CGPA of 7.5. This move, applicable only for the 2026-27 academic session, aims to provide a streamlined path towards research for top-performing undergraduates.
The direct PhD entry pathway is available to students who have completed the FYUP in 2026 with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 7.5. However, SC/ST students are eligible with a minimum CGPA of 7.0. Eligible students will still have to take an entrance examination for the direct PhD entry pathway, although they will not be required to appear for an interview.
The introduction of the direct PhD entry pathway comes as the inaugural batch of FYUP students finishes their course. In 2022-23, 75,948 students enrolled in the FYUP, and by the end of the third year in 2025, 40,005 students chose to exit with a traditional three-year degree, while 35,943 students chose to continue into the optional fourth year.
## Why it matters The update aligns higher education progression with national reform goals, offering high-achieving undergraduates a streamlined path toward research. However, some Executive Council members have raised concerns that students pursuing a PhD directly after FYUP could face difficulties in certain career pathways, such as teaching positions, which require a master's degree. Additionally, such students would not be eligible to appear for the National Eligibility Test (NET), for which a postgraduate degree is an eligibility requirement.
The introduction of the direct PhD entry pathway is a special measure to address the limited number of one-year postgraduate programmes available to FYUP graduates. As the university navigates the implementation of the FYUP, this move is seen as a decisive step towards bridging Indian higher education with global academic structures.
## What happens next The university will announce the dates for the entrance examination for the direct PhD entry pathway later. Students who are eligible for the direct PhD entry pathway will need to apply for the programme as per university rules. The outcome of this initiative will be closely watched, as it has the potential to impact the career trajectories of high-achieving undergraduates and the broader higher education landscape in India.
