Guwahati: Students protested at Gauhati University (GU) on Thursday against the restriction of the fourth year of undergraduate courses to a few selected departments in some of the affiliated colleges.The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) demonstration outside the university’s administrative building demanded the withdrawal of an Aug 27 notice allowing only selected departments in 142 colleges to offer the fourth year of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP).Protesters demanded that classes be continued where teaching began in Aug.“Gauhati University issued the notification after students enrolled for the fourth year and attended classes for more than a month,” SFI Kamrup (Metro) district committee president Alok Narah and secretary Utpola Das said in a statement.The FYUGP was introduced under the National Education Policy 2020 across about 300 GU-affiliated colleges in the 2023-24 academic year. A university source said approval to offer the fourth year was largely based on faculty strength.A considerable number of students in Assam enrolled in the fourth year of the undergraduate degree programmes in 2026.“Despite opposition from academicians, intellectuals, researchers and social activists, the govt has implemented this flawed education policy,” Utpola added.A senior GU official said students unable to continue the fourth year at their colleges could pursue two-year master’s programmes at other institutions. Those completing the fourth year would be eligible for a one-year master’s programme.“Whenever changes are made to the education policy, it is the university and govt’s responsibility to prioritise students’ interests, academic rights and future. Therefore, the SFI demands that the notification issued on Aug 27, 2026, be withdrawn immediately,” a release read.SFI said the notice created uncertainty for students already admitted to fourth-year courses. It urged GU to withdraw the notice, allow them to continue and discuss infrastructure and other implementation problems with Assam govt.
