- By Ritesh Kumar
- Thu, 05 Dec 2024 04:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced draft regulations establishing the minimum standards of instruction for awarding undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
These new regulations aim to enhance flexibility, eliminate disciplinary rigidity, promote inclusivity, and provide students with multidisciplinary learning opportunities. They also pave the way for biannual admissions in higher education institutions (HEIs), enabling students to enroll twice a year if institutions are prepared to implement this system. Key features include provisions for multiple entry and exit options, recognition of prior learning, and the flexibility to pursue two undergraduate or postgraduate programs simultaneously.
“We have also decoupled eligibility for UG and PG admissions from the rigid discipline-specific requirements of school education. Under these regulations, students can to choose study in any programme irrespective of their past disciplinary qualification if they demonstrate their competency by clearing the relevant entrance examinations. Recognising the diverse learning modes promoted by NEP 2020, these regulations provide autonomy to HEIs to determine student attendance requirements, ensuring they align with evolving academic needs,” said UGC Chairperson, M Jagadesh Kumar, as reported by The Indian Express.
“With these reforms, we ensure that Indian higher education evolves to meet global standards while staying rooted in inclusivity and adaptability to diverse learner needs,” Kumar added.
Students will now have the flexibility to earn 50 per cent of their credits in their major discipline, with the remaining credits dedicated to skill development, apprenticeships, or multidisciplinary subjects, promoting holistic growth.
Major Changes in the Draft UGC Guidelines
Biannual Admissions:
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) prepared to manage biannual admissions can now admit students twice a year, during the July/August and January/February sessions.
Flexible Academic Provisions:
The draft regulations include multiple entry and exit options, continuous formative assessments, recognition of prior learning, and the flexibility to pursue two undergraduate or postgraduate programs simultaneously.
Eligibility Across Disciplines:
Students can now apply for undergraduate or postgraduate programs in any discipline, regardless of their Class 12 or UG subject background, provided they qualify the respective national or university-level entrance exams.
Attendance Flexibility:
In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, HEIs can decide on the minimum attendance requirements for different programs with approval from their statutory bodies, considering diverse learning modes and multidisciplinary opportunities.
Credit Distribution for Degrees:
To earn an undergraduate degree with a major in a specific discipline, students must complete at least 50 per cent of their total credits in that discipline. The remaining credits can be allocated to skill courses, apprenticeships, or multidisciplinary subjects, fostering holistic education.
Degree Duration:
The duration of an undergraduate degree will typically be three or four years, while a postgraduate degree will normally span one or two years. However, variations in duration may be allowed based on program requirements.