Concerns Rise Among DU Teachers Over Exam Schedule Overlaps

Delhi University's newly unveiled tentative exam schedule has sparked significant discontent among faculty members. Teachers have raised alarms about critical scheduling conflicts that threaten to disrupt both teaching responsibilities and examination processes.

The tentative date sheet indicates that undergraduate semester exams will commence on December 10, 2025, and run until January 30, 2026. However, classes for the new semester are slated to begin on January 2, leading to a considerable overlap of one month between ongoing exams and new semester classes.

Members of the Delhi University Teachers' Front (DTF) and the Academic Council have voiced their concerns, stating that this overlap creates an unmanageable situation for instructors. Mithuraj Dhusiya, a council member, expressed that it is untenable for educators to juggle both teaching and examination duties simultaneously.

He remarked, "This is a serious issue. The overlap means that we will have regular classes and exams occurring at the same time in January 2026. How can students be expected to attend classes and take exams concurrently for an entire month?"

Further questioning the practicality of conducting offline classes during exams, Dhusiya highlighted potential infrastructure challenges. "Does the university have the necessary resources to conduct classes and exams simultaneously for such a long duration?"

Abha Dev Habib, Secretary of the DTF and an Associate Professor at Miranda House, criticized the planning, labeling it a disregard for academic standards. "Thousands of students will have to manage exams and new classes at the same time. The administrative burden on teachers is overwhelming, as they must teach, supervise, and evaluate all at once," she stated. Habib proposed extending the winter break until the completion of major exams.

Rudrashish Chakraborty, an elected member of the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA), characterized the current situation as a "theatre of the absurd." He lamented that the month of January would be consumed by final exams, depriving students of vital teaching time.

Teachers are calling on the university to reconsider the academic calendar, warning that such overlaps undermine the quality of education and could delay the announcement of results.