4-yr UG courses must for Honours degree: UGC’s new draft norms

Bhubaneswar: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has prepared a new draft norms wherein the students will be able to get an undergraduate (UG) ‘Honours’ degree after completing four years instead of three.

The new draft norms prepared in accordance with the National Education Policy is likely to be notified on Monday.

With implementation of the new norms, the students will be able to get UG degree in 3 years on completion of 120 credits (measured through the number of academic hours) and UG Honours degree in 4 years on completion of 160 credits.

According to reports, if the students wish to go for a research specialisation, they will have to undertake a research project in their four-year course. This will get them an Honours degree with research specialisation.

The students who have already enrolled and are pursuing a three-year UG programme as per the existing Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) are eligible to pursue a four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP). The university may provide bridge courses (including online) to enable them to transition to the extended programme.

The FYUP will also have multiple entry and exit options for students. If students leave the programme before 3 years, they will be allowed to rejoin within 3 years of their exit and will have to complete the UG degree within a stipulated period of 7 years.

The FYUP consists of major stream courses, minor stream courses, courses from other disciplines, language courses and skill courses.

The course work during the first 3 semesters of the FYUP would consists of a set of courses such as language education (two languages – Regional language and English language), understanding India, Environmental Science/Education, Digital and technological solutions, Mathematical and Computational Thinking and Analysis, Heath & wellness, Yoga education, and sports and fitness. The courses will be common for all students.

Students can decide to continue with their chosen major or change their major at the end of the 2nd semester. Also, they will have option to go for a UG either with single or double majors.

A student has to secure minimum 50 per cent credits from the major discipline for the 3-year/4-year UG degree.

Currently, students get Honours degree after completing 3 years of Undergraduate programmes offered by universities in the country.