Why in news?
The Delhi University (DU) has approved a 4-year undergraduate (UG) programme as part of the reforms under the new National Education Policy.
What are the key features of the NEP?
Multidisciplinarity
- Higher education in India is focused on producing disciplinary experts.
- But the new NEP proposes to break disciplinary boundaries.
- E.g., B Tech students, beyond their core subject limits, will have significant component of arts and humanities. And arts and humanities students will learn more science too.
4-year Undergrad Programme
- UG programmes in Indiausually are for 3 years, except for professional degrees (B Tech & MBBS).
- NEP proposes to “adjust” the length of the programmes to accommodate different subjects along with the chosen major and minor subjects.
- 4-year UG program is thus a means to achieve multidisciplinarity in education.
- However, the student will have the option to leave the program midway.
Quitting after the first year - Acertificate
After the second year - Adiploma
After the third year - ABachelor’s degree
Completing the 4 years programme - Bachelor’s degree “with Research” if the student completes “a rigorous research project” in her major area(s) of study.
Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)
- Higher education institutions will digitally deposit credits earned by students for courses they studied; prior learning represented in course units.
- A student’s deposit of credits in the ABC helps her move laterally from one higher education institution to another, if needed.
- Credits would also include that for courses or projects in areas such as community engagement and service, environmental education, etc.
- So, the ABC is expected to aid the multiple entry and exit system as well as multidisciplinarity in higher education.
Regional languages
- Promoting Indian languages, arts and culture through education.
- Higher education institutions are recommended to adopt regional languages as the medium of instruction.
- Thiswill help increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education and add to its inclusiveness.
National Entrance Test
- A single university entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency, instead of the multiple entrance tests that students now face.
- The high quality, range, and flexibility of the NTA testing services will enable most universities (optional) to use the NTAassessments as the basis for student admissions.
Source: The Indian Express
