New Delhi: Days after it withdrew a controversial introduction of Manusmriti from the Sanskrit syllabus following a TOI report, Delhi University has directed college principals to ensure that only officially notified syllabi are taught.

The notification, dated Aug 5 and issued by the registrar, said the university was aware of “several instances where the colleges have taught either the wrong courses or unapproved or unnotified syllabi of courses to students due to which students are put at unnecessary inconveniences”.

“All are hereby informed that the students must be offered and taught only the syllabi notified on the website of the university,” the circular stated.

It emphasised that syllabi placed before the Standing Committee or Academic Council are often altered before final approval, and “therefore, all are requested to kindly rely on the syllabi notified on the website of the university”.

The directive comes in the backdrop of a June 12 TOI report that revealed the introduction of a Sanskrit course, Dharmashastra Studies, which featured Manusmriti as a primary text. Previous proposals for inclusion of the text in law and history honours syllabi had to be withdrawn by the administration after it triggered criticism from a section of teachers and students who argued that Manusmriti promotes discriminatory ideas.

Following the TOI report, the university announced that the text would not be taught in any course and would be withdrawn from the Sanskrit curriculum.

At the time, official sources had told TOI that the administration was not aware of the inclusion in the curriculum until after the report was published. In an official statement, the university clarified that the contentious text would be removed.

The latest notification seeks to address similar lapses and ensure compliance with the final, approved syllabi published on the university website. According to DU officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, the problem arises because proposals discussed in academic bodies often undergo changes before being finalised, but some colleges proceed with earlier versions without waiting for the official upload.

“The syllabi placed before the Standing Committee/Academic Council are generally modified as per suggestions received… Therefore… rely on the syllabi notified on the website,” the circular stated.

There was no immediate response from the DU registrar on whether the move was directly linked to the Sanskrit syllabus row and on the measures being taken to prevent such issues in the future.