In a major policy shift, 14 public universities in Gujarat will allow Class 12 science students to move into general stream undergraduate programmes from the 2026 academic session. The decision was finalised during a meeting of Vice-Chancellors, with options such as bridge courses and entrance tests to facilitate the transition.
The move aims to resolve long-standing inconsistencies in eligibility criteria that previously made it difficult for science students to switch to Arts or Commerce streams. While some universities permitted the change, others had no such provisions, and admission processes varied widely.Out of the state’s 16 public universities, two institutions will not be part of the new system—Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU), which operates through distance learning, and MS University, Vadodara (MSU), which already follows an entrance-based admission process for all courses.
A senior official from the Gujarat education department said the initiative is designed to bring uniformity across institutions and ensure smoother transitions for students seeking a change in academic direction.Universities will adopt either of two models. Under the bridge course approach, students will complete a foundational course in their first semester to adapt to the new stream.
Alternatively, institutions may offer admission through entrance exams, allowing students to bypass stream-specific eligibility requirements.Describing the reform as a “student-first” approach, officials said it promotes flexibility and interdisciplinary learning, ensuring that students are not permanently bound by subject choices made in Class 11.The policy is expected to benefit a large number of science students who wish to pursue careers better aligned with Arts or Commerce streams.
Detailed guidelines on bridge courses and entrance exam formats are likely to be released within a week after further consultations with university heads.