DU’s exam schedule overlaps with classes, leaves faculty puzzled

A month-long overlap of classes and semester examinations for undergraduate programmes in Delhi University sparked an outcry from faculty members after the university recently released the tentative exam date sheet.

According to the schedule, semester exams for undergraduate programmes will be held from December 10, 2025, to January 30, 2026, while classes for the even semester will commence on January 2, 2026, resulting in an overlap between ongoing exams and classes.

Prof. Mithuraaj Dhusiya, Executive Council member of DU, said, “How can students appear in exams as well as attend classes simultaneously for a whole month? How can teachers invigilate, teach, and attend different evaluation centres simultaneously for a whole month? Do colleges have the infrastructure to run both exams and hold classes simultaneously for one whole month?”

Abha Dev Habib, Associate Professor at Miranda House, said, “Lakhs of students are supposed to take exams and classes of the next sem simultaneously! Teachers are supposed to teach next semester’s courses and do examination-related work – invigilation and evaluation at the same time.” She added that this will lead to an “acute shortage of space”, and push many classes online.

University officials have not yet commented on the matter.