The Karnataka government scrapped the four-year degree program suggested by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in public universities and their affiliated colleges on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Instead, it has reintroduced the traditional three-year degree program, eliminating the option for a fourth year, for the academic year 2024-25. This decision follows concerns raised by students and colleges over the lack of clarity with the implementation of the four-year degree program under the NEP.
The government issued an order following the recommendations of the State Education Policy Commission, chaired by Prof. Sukhdeo Thorat on May 8, 2024. In its first interim report, the commission advised the government on several aspects of higher education, including the duration of the degree program, curriculum structure, and the introduction of a multidisciplinary curriculum for students enrolling in the 2024-25 academic year. It also suggested implementing a flexible system allowing students to earn a certificate after one year or a diploma after two years.
Based on the interim report, the government decided to restrict the degree program to three years. Additionally, it approved three undergraduate Curriculum Frameworks (CFW) that were recommended by the commission.
The government has authorized public universities and affiliated colleges to structure their general degree programs in several ways: students can pursue three majors across all six semesters, choose three majors for the first four semesters with specialization in one subject during the fifth and sixth semesters, or specialize in a single subject from the first semester alongside minors (such as B.COM, BBA, BCA, BA/BSc).
However, the government has not yet made a decision regarding the implementation of the multiple entry and exit system.
In a press statement, the higher education department announced that regarding allowing certificates after the first year and diploma after the second year (multiple entry and exit), the government will decide on implementing the recommendations after the submission of the final report and not at this stage.
Additionally, the department highlighted that upcoming changes in the curriculum framework will broaden educational offerings, include industry-relevant skills-based courses, and grant universities (through their Board of Studies) the autonomy to develop region-specific courses. The incorporation of apprenticeship-embedded degree courses into the curriculum is also being considered.
The commission explained that their recommendations are grounded in historical experience and the principles of student interest, equity, social justice, and providing equal opportunities to students from various socio-economic backgrounds. The commission noted that keeping a four year degree program would potentially reduce access to undergraduate education for the poor, the socially disadvantaged groups such as scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, women and students from rural areas. Further lack of infrastructure and non-availability of facilities and faculty have been mentioned as one of the reasons for the unwillingness of the colleges to start 4-year UG Program.
The commission also addressed changes in the curriculum, stating that moving from three interconnected core disciplines to two unrelated major disciplines represents a significant change. This new structure assigns fewer credits to the core disciplines compared to the system with three majors. Consequently, the system with three majors was preferred.
The commission stated that its recommendations were developed following consultation meetings held in November 2023 with vice-chancellors, deans, heads of the boards of studies from various universities, and college principals. Additionally, regional meetings with various stakeholders across the four revenue divisions of Karnataka took place in December 2023.
The government has clarified that the newly announced changes will not impact students who are currently enrolled for the academic years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24. These students will continue under the NEP system implemented by the then BJP government in August 2021 until their graduation, maintaining both the duration and the curriculum as originally planned. The changes that have announced would only apply to new admissions from the academic year 2024-25 onwards.
Regarding the affiliation process and admissions, the government stated that these will commence immediately, with new admissions being processed in accordance with the new government order. All universities have been notified of these updates. Additionally, colleges may seek further clarification from their respective universities. The affiliation process for the academic year 2024-25 will begin through the UUCMS portal on May 9, 2024.
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The government issued an order following the recommendations of the State Education Policy Commission, chaired by Prof. Sukhdeo Thorat on May 8, 2024. In its first interim report, the commission advised the government on several aspects of higher education, including the duration of the degree program, curriculum structure, and the introduction of a multidisciplinary curriculum for students enrolling in the 2024-25 academic year. It also suggested implementing a flexible system allowing students to earn a certificate after one year or a diploma after two years.
Based on the interim report, the government decided to restrict the degree program to three years. Additionally, it approved three undergraduate Curriculum Frameworks (CFW) that were recommended by the commission.
The government has authorized public universities and affiliated colleges to structure their general degree programs in several ways: students can pursue three majors across all six semesters, choose three majors for the first four semesters with specialization in one subject during the fifth and sixth semesters, or specialize in a single subject from the first semester alongside minors (such as B.COM, BBA, BCA, BA/BSc).
However, the government has not yet made a decision regarding the implementation of the multiple entry and exit system.
In a press statement, the higher education department announced that regarding allowing certificates after the first year and diploma after the second year (multiple entry and exit), the government will decide on implementing the recommendations after the submission of the final report and not at this stage.
Additionally, the department highlighted that upcoming changes in the curriculum framework will broaden educational offerings, include industry-relevant skills-based courses, and grant universities (through their Board of Studies) the autonomy to develop region-specific courses. The incorporation of apprenticeship-embedded degree courses into the curriculum is also being considered.
The commission explained that their recommendations are grounded in historical experience and the principles of student interest, equity, social justice, and providing equal opportunities to students from various socio-economic backgrounds. The commission noted that keeping a four year degree program would potentially reduce access to undergraduate education for the poor, the socially disadvantaged groups such as scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, women and students from rural areas. Further lack of infrastructure and non-availability of facilities and faculty have been mentioned as one of the reasons for the unwillingness of the colleges to start 4-year UG Program.
The commission also addressed changes in the curriculum, stating that moving from three interconnected core disciplines to two unrelated major disciplines represents a significant change. This new structure assigns fewer credits to the core disciplines compared to the system with three majors. Consequently, the system with three majors was preferred.
The commission stated that its recommendations were developed following consultation meetings held in November 2023 with vice-chancellors, deans, heads of the boards of studies from various universities, and college principals. Additionally, regional meetings with various stakeholders across the four revenue divisions of Karnataka took place in December 2023.
The government has clarified that the newly announced changes will not impact students who are currently enrolled for the academic years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24. These students will continue under the NEP system implemented by the then BJP government in August 2021 until their graduation, maintaining both the duration and the curriculum as originally planned. The changes that have announced would only apply to new admissions from the academic year 2024-25 onwards.
Regarding the affiliation process and admissions, the government stated that these will commence immediately, with new admissions being processed in accordance with the new government order. All universities have been notified of these updates. Additionally, colleges may seek further clarification from their respective universities. The affiliation process for the academic year 2024-25 will begin through the UUCMS portal on May 9, 2024.
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