Quick Facts
- DU Executive Council approved up to 5% SWAYAM credits and MOOCs on April 29, 2026.
- FYUP students can earn up to 8 SWAYAM credits, PG students up to 4 credits.
- Some council members filed a dissent note, calling it a way to mask staff shortage.
In This Article
The Delhi University Executive Council has approved a plan letting students earn up to 5% of their total credits through online platforms. SWAYAM credits can now count toward a degree, the council confirmed on April 29, 2026.
The approval covers undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students. Under the scheme, four-year undergraduate students can earn up to 8 SWAYAM credits, while two-year postgraduate students can earn up to 4 credits. Several faculty members oppose it, saying the shift hides deeper staff and infrastructure gaps at the university.
Key Takeaways
- DU students can earn 5% of degree credits online, capped at 8 SWAYAM credits for FYUP and 4 for PG courses.
- Online course content must match at least 60% of classroom material, rising to 75% for core subjects.
- Teachers link the policy to the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme, which they say lacks enough staff and rooms.
CampusFeed Take
The real fight here is not about technology. It is about who fills the gap when a four-year degree arrives without four years of staff and rooms. The 60% to 75% similarity rule looks strict on paper, but the burden of checking it falls on the same overworked departments. Watch the August 2026 FYUP rollout closely: if fourth-year electives lean heavily on SWAYAM, the 5% cap will face pressure to rise. Students from low-bandwidth homes and women learners, flagged repeatedly in council debates, are the ones who stand to lose the most. By Avinash.
SWAYAM Credits at DU: Key Rules and Numbers
SWAYAM credits are academic credits that students earn by completing approved online courses instead of attending all classes in person. The Executive Council fixed clear caps and quality rules when it cleared the plan on April 29, 2026 (DU Executive Council). The table below breaks down the main figures.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum credits (overall) | Up to 5% of total programme credits (DU Executive Council) |
| FYUP students | Up to 8 SWAYAM credits through MOOCs |
| Postgraduate students | Up to 4 credits through online courses |
| Similarity for general courses | At least 60% match with classroom content |
| Similarity for core courses | Up to 75% match required |
| Approval date | April 29, 2026 (Executive Council) |
The most striking number is the 75% similarity bar for core subjects. It is meant to protect quality, but it also means staff must review each online course against their own syllabus before SWAYAM credits count.
About SWAYAM
SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) is a free online learning platform run by the Government of India through the Ministry of Education (MoE). Launched in 2017, it hosts courses from Class 9 to postgraduate level. The platform offers more than 4,000 courses prepared by over 1,000 chosen faculty across the country, and learners can take a paid proctored exam for a certificate. You can explore it on the official SWAYAM portal.
Who can earn SWAYAM credits at DU?
SWAYAM credits at DU are open to undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students across the university. The University Grants Commission (UGC) had earlier allowed up to 20% of credits through online courses under its 2016 framework, which DU adopted in 2019. The current 5% cap is a scaled-down version examined by a committee after a 2025 Academic Council meeting, and you can read the parent rule on the UGC official site. Each department must name a Digital Learning Coordinator to track student progress, and a university nodal officer will oversee the rollout.
Why are teachers opposing the move?
Many DU teachers argue that SWAYAM credits are being used to cover staff and infrastructure shortfalls, not to improve learning. Faculty members say the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP), rolled out under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, raised student intake without matching growth in classrooms, labs, and posts.
“Are we teachers expected to review every MOOC course to ensure its quality? Right now it is 5%, but tomorrow it may increase,” said Monami Sinha, associate professor at Kamla Nehru College.
Some Executive Council members filed a formal dissent note. It warned that the rules, in the name of choice and flexibility, reduce the role of teachers and risk turning universities into certification centres. Critics also flag a digital divide, since students from low-income and rural homes may struggle with steady internet access.
What This Means For You
If you are a student
You can now use SWAYAM credits for up to 5% of your degree, which is 8 credits for a four-year programme and 4 for a two-year PG course. Check with your department coordinator on which courses are approved before you enrol, so your effort counts toward your final degree.
If you are a parent
This option gives your child more flexibility, but it also needs a reliable internet connection and self-discipline. Ask the college which courses qualify and how the online marks combine with classroom grades. Keep a record of completed certificates in case the credit transfer needs proof later.
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If you are a school principal or teacher
The policy adds a new review task: matching online courses to your syllabus at 60% to 75% similarity. Plan early for who will check course quality and build bridge modules. Clear coordination now will save your department from a last-minute workload spike when the FYUP fourth year begins.
What Is Next
The fourth year of FYUP is set to begin in the 2026-27 session, and departments must finalise approved SWAYAM credits courses before then. Key steps to watch:
- Departments to appoint Digital Learning Coordinators
- Course lists to be published before the 2026-27 academic year
- Possible review of the 5% cap as FYUP scales up
Will online credits ease pressure on crowded campuses, or simply shift the load onto teachers and students?
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: June 22, 2026 at 10:15 IST
Last verified: June 22, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information at the time of publishing. Exam dates, cutoffs, fees, deadlines, eligibility criteria, and scholarship details can change without notice. Always verify the latest information from the official portal of UGC and Delhi University before taking any action. CampusFeed and its authors are not responsible for decisions made based on this article. This is not legal, financial, or career advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual guidance.
Written by Avinash. Published: June 22, 2026. Updated: June 22, 2026. Have a tip or correction? Write to us at editorial@campusfeed.in.
