The University Grants Commission (UGC) has finalised the framework for the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUGP), which will be implemented in all higher education institutions beginning with the 2023-24 academic year.
According to the UGC, next week, these rules for four-year undergraduate courses will be shared with all universities across the country.
In addition to all 45 central universities, the FYUGP will be implemented in the majority of state and private universities beginning with the next academic session. Aside from that, many deemed universities will consent to the program’s implementation.
From 2023-24, when all new students will have the option of taking four-year undergraduate courses, the FYUGP is likely to be approved by the UGC for old students as well. This means that students who enrolled in regular three-year undergraduate courses this year may be eligible to join the four-year degree programme beginning with the next session.
According to the UGC chairman, students who are already enrolled in universities will be able to participate in four-year undergraduate courses. “Such students who are in first or second year, if they wish, they can also be provided with the option of four-year undergraduate courses. However, it will start only from the new session starting next year i.e. 2023-24.The UGC will also give freedom to various universities to make some rules and regulations”. “Necessary rules can be fixed in this regard in the academic council and executive council of universities. If the university wishes, students studying in the final year can also be given the opportunity to be a part of 4-year undergraduate courses,” he added.
The UGC chairman explained the reasons for these significant changes, stating that if only new students are given the opportunity to enrol in FYUGP, the results will be known after four years. On the other hand, if older students are given the opportunity to participate, the results will be visible sooner. Following four years of undergraduate studies, students pursuing two years of post-graduation and M.Phil will be required to score 55% in order to be admitted to PhD programmes.