The skilling paradox in India’s universities
Delhi University is facing criticism for proposing the replacement of vocational undergraduate programs with traditional interdisciplinary degrees. Critics argue that prioritizing enrollment numbers over vocational relevance undermines India's goal of becoming a global skilling hub.
Why it matters
This highlights a systemic disconnect between university administrative policies and the actual labor market needs for specialized skills in India.
O n the one hand, India wants to become the world’s skilling capital. On the other, some of its universities are moving in the opposite direction. On July 6, 2026, the Delhi edition of The Indian Express reported that Delhi University has proposed discontinuing six undergraduate vocational programmes and replacing them with interdisciplinary B.A. combinations such as Commerce with Economics or Hindi with Political Science. According to the report, the reason given by the university was that the move aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its emphasis on interdisciplinary, skill-oriented education.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in