India, July 25 -- A week ahead of Delhi University's (DU) first fourth-year undergraduate batch beginning, over 70% of third-year students have chosen to stay on for the additional year under the new curriculum, university officials said on Thursday. The data is provisional as of July 24.

DU dean of academic affairs Ratnabali K told HT, "While the final data will reveal more accurate trends, initial observations show that peripheral colleges have recorded higher retention rates in the fourth year, whereas top-ranking colleges have slightly lower retention. One reason could be that students in these institutions are more likely to pursue the traditional postgraduate route."

The university's portal allowing students to opt out of the four...