UGC India Makes Sweeping Changes to Postgraduate Curriculum: 6 Key Updates in New Credit Framework

UGC India: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made significant amendments to the postgraduate (PG) curriculum and credit structure in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. These changes are designed to modernise India’s higher education landscape, introducing flexible structures and interdisciplinary learning opportunities to prepare students for professional and academic demands.

Diverse Postgraduate Programme Structures:

An important aspect of the updated framework is the inclusion of different pathways to postgraduate education. The policy recognises the varied length and breadth of undergraduate education by offering three different structures for postgraduate programmes.

+ A two-year master’s program intended for those who hold a three-year undergraduate degree, with the entire second year focused on research activities.

+ A one-year postgraduate programme is available to individuals who have a four-year undergraduate degree with honours or honours that includes a research component.

+ Five-year integrated undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, which combine undergraduate and postgraduate education into a coherent framework.

Flexibility and curriculum design in higher education institutions Under the NEP 2020, higher education institutions (HEIs) will get considerable flexibility in designing postgraduate (PG) programmes. While three broad formats have been outlined, the curriculum is expected to adapt to diverse undergraduate foundations, integrating emerging disciplines such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

This framework encourages the personalization of learning pathways tailored to the specific graduate attributes of each program. The National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) will be responsible for the development of the curriculum, categorizing qualifications into levels 6, 6.5, and 7.

Credit and Eligibility Requirements: The updated framework establishes uniform credit requirements across different types of programs.

+ A two-year master’s program intended for those who hold a three-year undergraduate degree, with the entire second year focused on research activities.

+ A two-year postgraduate program, requires necessitates the completion of a three-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 120 credits at NHEQF level 7, or alternatively, a four-year bachelor’s degree with no less than 160 credits.

Admission to postgraduate (PG) programs is based on the candidate’s undergraduate performance or an entrance examination. Students have the opportunity to enroll in a postgraduate program in a field that is not directly related to their undergraduate major, provided they meet the requirements of a relevant national or university-level entrance examination.

For more information related to UGC India candidates can visit the official website https://www.ugc.gov.in/.

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