LOK SABHA
Four Year Undergraduate Programme
1336. SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any proposal to introduce the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme in Central University as well as State Universities with the rolling of the New Education Policy;
(b) if so, the details and motives thereof;
(c) the time by which the said proposal is likely to be implemented in all universities;
(d) whether the Government has consulted to roll out such programme among all States and other stakeholders in this regard; and
(e) if so, the details thereof ?
(DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)
(a) to (e): The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 envisions that undergraduate degree will be of either three or four year duration, with multiple exit options within this period, with appropriate certifications, for example a certificate after completing one year in a discipline or field including vocational and professional areas, or a diploma after two years of study, or a Bachelor’s degree after a three year programme. The four year multidisciplinary Bachelor’s programme, however, shall be the preferred option since it allows the opportunity to experience the full range of holistic and multidisciplinary education in addition to a focus on the chosen major and minors as per the choices of the student.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that for the implementation of the aforementioned provisions of NEP, 2020, UGC has developed the draft curricular framework and credit system for Four Years Undergraduate Program to equip students with the capacities in fields across the arts, humanities, languages, natural sciences, social sciences, soft skills such as complex problem solving, critical thinking, creative thinking, communication skills, along with rigorous specialization in one or more subject areas. The UGC has placed the draft curricular framework and credit system for Four Years Undergraduate Program in public domain for seeking suggestions from stakeholders. The draft has been revised after incorporating the appropriate suggestions.