UGC Approved Guidelines on Flexible-Duration Degrees for Undergraduate Students

1. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved new guidelines that will allow undergraduate students in India to complete their degree programs either earlier or extend them beyond the usual duration.
2. This new system aims to provide students with the flexibility to graduate based on their learning pace and needs.
3. These guidelines were approved during the UGC meeting held on November 13, 2024, with a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for Accelerated Degree Programs (ADPs) and Extended Degree Programs (EDPs).
4. The UGC is expected to release these guidelines publicly soon for feedback.

What is the National Credit Framework (NCrF)?

Aspect	Details
Introduction	Part of NEP 2020, the NCrF aims to modernize India’s education system by promoting flexibility, skills integration, and multidisciplinary learning.
Objective	To allow flexible credit transfer across education sectors (academic, vocational, skill-based), addressing evolving societal and economic needs.

Who Developed the NCrF?

Sector	Contributing Bodies
School Education	CBSE, NCERT, NIOS
Higher Education	UGC, AICTE
Vocational Education	NCVET, DGT
Overall Oversight	Ministry of Education, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Key Features of the National Credit Framework (NCrF)

Feature	Details
Credit Transfer	Allows seamless transfer of credits across disciplines, including vocational and skill education.
Flexibility	Students can earn credits through activities like classroom learning, research, internships, sports, and apprenticeships.
Modern Needs	Aligns education with emerging jobs and self-employment opportunities.

Key Features of the UGC Guidelines:

1. National Credit Framework (NCrF):

   1. The National Credit Framework (NCrF) enables students with varying learning abilities to progress through the curriculum at different speeds.
   2. Students will have the option to either speed up or slow down their degree completion by earning more or fewer credits per semester, based on their individual capabilities.
   3. Accelerated Degree Programs (ADPs): Students can complete their three-year or four-year degree in a reduced time frame by earning additional credits per semester.
   4. Extended Degree Programs (EDPs): Students who need more time can extend their degree completion by earning fewer credits per semester.
2. Duration Flexibility:

Degree Type	Standard Duration	Shortened Duration	Extension Option
3-Year Degree	3 years (6 semesters)	Can be completed in 5 semesters (1 semester shortened)	Can be extended by up to 2 semesters
4-Year Degree	4 years (8 semesters)	Can be completed in 6 or 7 semesters (1 or 2 semesters shortened)	Can be extended by up to 2 semesters

3. Eligibility and Committee Evaluation:

   1. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will form committees to assess whether students are eligible for ADPs or EDPs based on their performance in the first or second semester.
   2. The committees will evaluate students’ credit completion potential and recommend whether to increase or decrease the number of courses and credits per semester.
   3. Based on this evaluation, the committee will recommend whether the student should be allowed to complete their program in the accelerated or extended duration.

4. Issuance of Degrees:

   1. HEIs will be allowed to issue degrees to students upon the completion of the program in the opted shortened or extended duration without waiting for the completion of the standard program duration.
   2. The degrees awarded will be considered equivalent to those completed in the standard duration for all academic and employment purposes.

5. Impact on Employment:

   1. The UGC has specifically stated that government departments, private organizations, and recruiting agencies (such as UPSC and State Service Commissions) should treat degrees completed through Accelerated Degree Programs (ADPs) or Extended Degree Programs (EDPs) on an equal footing with degrees earned through the standard duration of the program.
   2. This ensures that students who choose either an accelerated or extended timeline for their degree will not face any disadvantage in terms of employment or further academic opportunities.

6. Student Intake for ADPs:

   1. The UGC has proposed that HEIs may allocate up to 10% of their total student intake for Accelerated Degree Programs (ADPs), offering more opportunities for students who wish to complete their degree faster.

7. Application Process:

   1. ADPs and EDPs will involve the scrutiny of applications received by HEIs at the end of the first or second semester.
   2. Students will be selected for these programs based on their academic performance and the committee’s recommendations.

Conclusion:

The UGC’s approval of these guidelines marks a significant shift towards providing flexibility in undergraduate education in India. By implementing Accelerated Degree Programs (ADPs) and Extended Degree Programs (EDPs), students will have the option to personalize their learning experience to suit their needs, abilities, and circumstances. This initiative will help accommodate different learning paces and ensure that degrees completed through these flexible programs are recognized equally to those earned within the traditional time frame, benefiting students in both academic and employment spheres.

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