“Theatre of the absurd”: DU teachers fume over clash between exams, classes in January 2026

Delhi University teachers have expressed serious concerns and disappointment over the “massive overlap” of regular classes and odd semester examinations scheduled for January 2026. The professors called it a “theatre of the absurd”, highlighting the plight of the DU teachers who will be forced to work four times than their actual duties.

Sharing the DU academic calendar and the tentative date sheet for the end-semester examinations, the teachers argued that the whole month will be occupied with conducting exams covering regular, School of Learning (SOL), and Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB) courses, disrupting the regular teaching for the even semester which is expected to be start simultaneously.

“It is a matter of great concern - massive overlapping of one month of both regular classes as well as exams in January 2026,” a teacher said. In the past, DU attributed such overlap to a staggered academic calendar. But what happens now when there is no staggered academic calendar? How can students appear in exams as well as attend classes simultaneously for a whole month?,” she asked.

Also read UGC ban on psychology degrees in distance-education mode leaves 1.3 lakh students in limbo

The teacher also questioned how teachers will invigilate, take classes and go to different evaluation centres simultaneously for a whole month. Targeting the administration, she raised a doubt about the preparedness and infrastructure in colleges to run both exams and classes simultaneously for this period.

DU semester exams, classes

DU professors criticised the university’s “tacit approval” for colleges to shift classes online during such overlaps, a move which contradicts DU's official stance on offering regular courses in offline mode.

“Clearly we are not teaching in a University! It's a circus all over the place: and the clowns running the show make us feel like tramps and vagabonds in a theatre of the absurd!,” remarked another teacher. As a result of the clash between exams and classes, the colleges will run for space to conduct the exams along with “pretending” to conduct classes.

“Even if colleges decide to conduct online classes as an easy way out, the students are not free as they will be pre-occupied with their exams: so one full month will be wasted without teaching,” the teacher said in frustration.

Also read Wish to make an exit from DU? Delhi University allows 3rd year students to opt out

Pointing out to the burden this overlap would result into, he added, “The plight of the teachers will be the worst: they have to clone themselves four times over! They have to teach in the even semester, invigilate exams for the odd semester, evaluate answer scripts of the odd semester and conduct practicals for the even semester.”

So far, Delhi University has not issued an official clarification regarding the overlap alleged by the teachers.