UGC Proposes Guidelines for UG and PG Degrees with New Admission Policies

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has shared draft guidelines to set minimum standards for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. These guidelines aim to improve the quality of education in higher institutions.

Along with the guidelines, UGC provided a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for awarding accelerated and extended degrees by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This aims to streamline the degree process.

UGC is seeking public feedback on these suggestions until December 23, 2024. They want to gather a wide range of opinions to refine their proposals.

Key Proposed Changes:

• HEIs can admit students twice a year, in July/August and January/February, if they are equipped for biannual admissions.
• Universities must determine their student intake capacity based on available facilities and staff ratios.
• Each HEI should establish norms for essential facilities like classrooms, libraries, and hostels, following UGC guidelines.
• Higher education should integrate vocational training and internships into UG and PG programs as per UGC frameworks.
• HEIs should offer multiple entry and exit options in their academic programs.
• Students should be able to move between vocational and general education as per regulatory guidelines.

Additionally, UGC has suggested changes to eligibility criteria for admissions, credit accumulation, attendance, examinations, and integration of skill courses and apprenticeships.

The SOP allows HEIs to earmark up to 10% of their intake for accelerated degree programs. They can also form a committee to review applications for extended degree programs.

This committee will assess students’ performance in the first or second semester and recommend adjustments to their course loads and credits.

For students in accelerated and extended programs, transcripts will only reflect the courses taken in a semester.

Detailed draft here