Lucknow University: Under the National Education Policy (NEP) in 2021, which includes provisions for a four-year undergraduate (UG) program and a one-year postgraduate (PG) course, as well as multiple entry and exit options for students. However, in the fourth year of NEP implementation (academic session 2024-25), not a single student has enrolled in the UG fourth year. This lack of enrollment has been attributed to concerns about job opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, limited availability of desired postgraduate courses, and overall quality of education in affiliated colleges. Senior professors and principals have expressed these concerns regarding the NEP implementation at Lucknow University.

Students preferring three-year courses: Students exhibit a preference for three-year courses over extended four-year undergraduate programs followed by one-year postgraduate studies. Professor Manoj Pandey, the president of Lucknow University Associated College Teachers' Association, contends that the absence of discernible disparities between the traditional three-year undergraduate education and subsequent two-year postgraduate programs in terms of employability, educational quality, and infrastructure underpins this inclination. He elucidates the dearth of admissions in the seventh semester (UG fourth year) to students' continued favouritism towards the shorter undergraduate duration. Reasons cited include a reluctance to prolong their tenure at the same institution and a desire to pursue postgraduate studies in their preferred field, even if not available at their current college.

Courses not linked to employment: According to the LUACTA president, after completing the four-year BA LLB program, pursuing an additional three-year LLB program, equivalent to a postgraduate degree, will take a total of seven years. However, if students opt for only the three-year LLB program, it can be completed in three years. The president mentioned that this course is suitable for those interested in pursuing a research career, as the degree awarded after four years is a UG Honours with research. He also pointed out that across the state, there are very few admissions in the fourth year of UG programs, as these four-year UG programs are not directly linked to employment and are primarily designed for students aspiring to pursue a research career. Consequently, there is a demand for the cancellation of such implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP).

Those who score this many marks get admission

Students need to score a minimum of 7.5 marks to get admission to the fourth year of undergraduate studies at any college affiliated with LU. However, colleges have not received applications from students interested in continuing to the fourth year of their undergraduate studies. Even those who achieve the required marks are not taking admitted to the city. Additionally, one-year postgraduate programs are mostly preferred by students who want to study abroad, as foreign universities offer such programs. Only a small percentage of students actually go abroad for studies, and as a result, there are very few admissions for the fourth year of undergraduate studies. This is because the fourth year of undergraduate studies is not considered valuable, as most students enter the industry after completing their postgraduate studies.