NEP 2020: UG courses now four-year-long with multiple entry and exit options

With the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 from the session of 2022-23, students will now have four-year-long undergraduate courses. Keeping this and other significant changes in mind, the Jharkhand Higher and Technical Education department has created a draft regulation of an option-based credit system and curriculum framework.

The department has sent copies of the draft regulation of the option-based credit system and curriculum framework to universities. After reviewing the draft and framework, the department has asked universities to provide suggestions and objections. After this, the approval of the cabinet will be taken after completing all the procedures on it. The Governor cum Chancellor will then grant permission after which, the system will be implemented in all universities.

As per the draft regulation, multiple entry and exit options from courses are to be allowed under the four-year-long undergraduate degree courses. Suggestions for the same have been sought by the department. Students will be able to join courses in the middle of semesters here.

Notably, after attending classes for at least two semesters or a year in the selected subject, students will be provided with certificates, while after two years (four semesters) students will get diplomas and after three years, students will be given graduation degrees. After the fourth year, students will pass with honours and be known as Bachelor with Honors (with Honors/Research) from the said subject.

Students who complete the undergraduate course with research will be able to do post-graduation in just one year. At present, graduation is of three years and post-graduation is of two years.

Sources have claimed that colleges will now also have four disciplinary areas. These include natural sciences, humanities, social sciences and commerce. Each discipline will consist of several minor courses. Any one of the four disciplinary areas will have to be selected as a major subject, while the other courses covered in the course selected by the student will be in the minor subject criteria. Students have to choose three subjects for the preparatory regular course from a pool of subjects offered by the institutes.

The selection for admission to graduation will be mainly based on the availability of seats in the major subject and the cut-off marks decided by the college. The merit list for the selection will be based on the 12th marks. The reservation policy of the state will be applicable in the admissions process.

Each academic year will consist of two semesters, of which, one will be odd and one even semester. The odd semester will be conducted from July to December and the even semester will be conducted from January to June. For admission in the seventh semester, it is mandatory to obtain a minimum CGPA of 7.5 in all the previous six semesters. The credit in the Academic Bank will be valid for seven years.