DU Odd Semester Exam Schedule Draws Criticism; Timelines overlapping with Even Semester
DU has announced exam schedule for Odd Semesters from December 2025 to January 2026 has sparked criticism due to an overlap with the start of new semester classes on January 2. Faculty have urged the university to revise the schedule.
Schedule of DU Semester Exams 2025-26: The University of Delhi (DU) has announced a tentative date sheet for the upcoming semester exams from December 10, 2025 , and will conclude on January 30, 2026 . The timetable includes the UG semesters I, III, V, and VII . But classes for the even semester are scheduled to start January 2, 2026 , according to the university’s academic calendar. There will be an overlap of nearly a month between current exams and the start of new classes.
This overlapped timetable has provoked widespread disapproval from faculty, who have referred to it as “an unworkable” and unrealistic schedule. “There will be tremendous pressure on students as well as teachers if the regular classes and exams can’t go side by side". Teachers mentioned students would have to choose between sitting for exams and going to new semester classes, resulting in perplexity as well as stress. Faculty will be hard-pressed to balance their teaching duties along with invigilation and evaluation, an extra burden.
The situation has been further complicated by the simultaneous conduct of examinations of the School of Open Learning (SOL) and the Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board (NCWEB) , which together provide education to about nine lakh students. Faculty members have warned that this will place additional strain on campus infrastructure, including classrooms, testing centers, and administrative resources.
To deal with the overlap, some colleges may be forced to conduct preliminary classes online, with teachers saying the move will compromise academic quality. They argue that online classes held during the examination period will disrupt the teaching-learning process and weaken student engagement.
Citing these challenges, teachers’ associations have demanded that DU postpone the winter break and start the new session only after all exams are over. They emphasise that this change would ensure academic quality and lessen anxiety for students as well as teachers.
The university administration has not yet responded officially to the concerns. Meanwhile, faculty members have been urging the authorities to revise the schedule and resolve the overlap to ensure a more practical and student-friendly academic calendar.
Inputs from Indian Express
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