New Delhi, Feb. 28: Delhi University (DU) today decided to abolish a "special chance" provision that gave students an opportunity to earn degrees even after a designated time span was over.

The "span period", as it is called, was six years for three-year under-graduate programmes and four years for two-year Master courses. Students failing to complete their courses within the time limits opted for the special chance.

The decision, taken by DU's executive council (EC), is in keeping with new UGC norms. Some members submitted dissent notes. Sources said the DU's examination branch had complained of difficulties in keeping exam records of students for so long. "There was not much discussion. The proposal was approved. Students must complete their courses within the span or forgo their degrees," an EC member said.

Professor Sashwati Mazumdar said students from poor backgrounds - who failed to complete their courses because of various reasons such as marriage, economic crisis, health and personal problems - would be hit the most. Mazumdar said DU had tried to scrap this provision in 2010 but it was restored later.

Abha Dev Habib, who teaches at Miranda House, said DU had "surrendered" its autonomy to the UGC. A few hundred students use the provision every year, she added.