2 weeks ago
Delhi University removes Delhi Sultanate paper from History syllabus
Delhi University is a big school in India where students go to learn after high school.
The people in charge of the university decided to take away some classes about history.
One of those classes was about the Delhi Sultanate, which was a group of rulers who lived in Delhi a long time ago.
They also took away classes about women, religion, and old Indian governments.
The university says they did this to make the classes more balanced and to include more parts of India.
But some people think this is a bad idea.
They say students should get to choose from many different history classes.
They also say learning about the past helps us understand how things became the way they are today.
The people who are upset think the university should add more classes instead of taking them away.
They want students to learn about many different points of view.
Delhi University removed an elective paper on the Delhi Sultanate from its newly notified postgraduate History syllabus.
Several long-taught papers on gender, religion and political structures in ancient India were also removed.
The University said the omissions aim to achieve greater balance and regional representation under the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
Critics argue the changes narrow student choice and undermine students' ability to engage critically with history.
The article contends the Delhi Sultanate paper offered insights into Delhi's transformation into a political centre and its links to Mughal and colonial histories.
- Who
- Delhi University and its postgraduate History students
- What
- Removal of an elective paper on the Delhi Sultanate and several papers on gender, religion and political structures in ancient India from the postgraduate History syllabus
- Where
- Delhi University, India
- When
- In the newly notified postgraduate History syllabus (recent, no specific date given)
- Why
- The University cited a goal of greater balance and regional representation under the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020; critics say it narrows student choice and critical engagement
Critics of the syllabus change
Delhi University administration
Reason for syllabus changes
Critics of the syllabus change
Removing papers narrows student choice and undermines critical engagement; the explanation sits uneasily with NEP's aim of fostering considered judgement.
Delhi University administration
The omissions are intended to achieve greater balance and regional representation under the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
Approach to reform
Critics of the syllabus change
If neglected regions and perspectives need more space, the answer should be to widen the syllabus, not remove long-taught papers.
Delhi University administration
Reform is desirable and necessary; rationalising the syllabus is part of implementing NEP 2020.
Key facts
- University
- Delhi University
- Syllabus affected
- Postgraduate History
- Removed paper
- Delhi Sultanate (elective)
- Other removed papers
- Gender, religion and political structures in ancient India
- Stated reason
- Greater balance and regional representation under NEP 2020
- Policy cited
- National Education Policy (NEP), 2020
- Period covered by removed paper
- 13th and 14th centuries









