UGC proposes draft guidelines to transform higher education in India

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has unveiled draft regulations aimed at redefining undergraduate and postgraduate education in India. These proposals align with the National Education Policy 2020, emphasising flexibility, inclusivity, and multidisciplinary learning. Key highlights include biannual admissions, multiple entry and exit options, recognition of prior learning, and the ability for students to simultaneously pursue two UG or PG programs. Institutions ready for these changes can admit students twice a year, in July/August and January/February.

The draft regulations remove discipline-specific barriers to admissions. Students can now enroll in any UG or PG programme, regardless of their previous academic background, by clearing relevant entrance exams. Additionally, a new credit structure mandates that 50% of credits be earned in a major discipline, with the rest allocated to skill-based courses or multidisciplinary subjects.

Undergraduate programmes will span three or four years, while postgraduate programmes will typically last one or two years. Students will also have the option to choose accelerated or extended degree programmes after their first or second semester, based on academic performance and credit completion potential.

The guidelines accommodate diverse learning needs, including online, hybrid, and in-person formats. Higher education institutes will have the autonomy to determine attendance requirements.

Students completing four-year undergraduate programmes with honours or research will qualify for two-year postgraduate courses in Physics, Biology, and Engineering.

Recognising prior learning further opens doors for non-traditional learners, making education more accessible. The UGC seeks public feedback on these transformative proposals before implementation.