Postgraduate Admissions – Delhi University Introduces One-Year Master’s Courses From 2026
Postgraduate Admissions – Delhi University has announced the launch of one-year postgraduate programmes from the 2026-27 academic session, opening a new academic route for students graduating from its four-year undergraduate structure. The courses will be available only to candidates who have completed the university’s Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022 programme and meet the prescribed credit requirements.
Delhi University one-year postgraduate programmes –
The new initiative aligns with the broader academic approach outlined under the National Education Policy 2020, which allows students completing a four-year undergraduate degree to pursue a master’s programme in one year. DU said the move is intended to provide an additional option for eligible graduates without discontinuing its existing postgraduate system.
Forty-six courses included in the first phase
The university will offer admission to 46 one-year postgraduate courses in its first cycle. The programme list includes subjects from humanities, commerce and science streams, such as MA Arabic, MA Bengali, Master of Commerce and MSc Biochemistry.
DU has asked applicants to check the official postgraduate admission bulletin for the complete course list, eligibility conditions and department-specific requirements. Since entry criteria may differ across programmes, students will need to review the details carefully before applying.
More than 1,100 seats to be offered
The one-year master’s programmes will have over 1,100 seats across different departments and faculties. These seats will be added to the university’s existing postgraduate capacity for the 2026 admission process.
Delhi University will also continue to admit students to its 74 two-year postgraduate programmes. Those courses have a combined intake of nearly 13,500 seats. With the new one-year courses included, the university’s overall postgraduate intake is expected to reach about 14,600 seats for the upcoming admission cycle.
Two-year programmes will remain available
University officials have clarified that the new courses are not being introduced as a replacement for the established two-year postgraduate degrees. Both formats will remain available, giving students a choice based on their undergraduate background and eligibility.
The two-year programmes will continue to serve applicants from different academic pathways, while the one-year option will be limited to students who have completed DU’s four-year undergraduate programme under UGCF 2022. This distinction is central to the new admission framework.
Merit will decide admissions
Admissions to the one-year postgraduate courses will be conducted entirely on merit. Only students who have completed the four-year undergraduate degree from Delhi University under UGCF 2022 and earned the required academic credits will be considered eligible.
The university has not indicated that the new one-year programmes will be open to students from other institutions at this stage. Applicants are therefore expected to rely on the official notification for confirmation of eligibility, application schedules and merit-related procedures.
A new academic pathway for DU graduates
The introduction of one-year master’s courses marks a significant change in Delhi University’s postgraduate education structure. It gives eligible students an opportunity to complete their master’s degree in a shorter period while retaining the conventional two-year option for others.
For students graduating through the four-year UGCF framework, the new programmes could offer a direct transition into postgraduate study. The university’s detailed admission notification is expected to provide further clarity on course-wise seat distribution, documentation and the application process.