New Delhi, 11 Aug 2020: Flexibility will be new norms for various degree programmes with many exit and entry points as proposed by the New Education Policy 2020.
Flexible 4-year UG program with multiple exit points: The structure and lengths of degree programmes shall be adjusted accordingly. The undergraduate degree will be of either 3 or 4-year duration, with multiple exit options within this period. Appropriate certifications will be provided with each year of completion: a certificate after completing 1 year in a discipline or field including vocational and professional areas, or a diploma after 2 years of study, or a Bachelor’s degree after a 3-year programme.
The 4-year programme may also lead to a “Degree with Research’ if the student completes a rigorous research project in their major area(s) of study as specified by the universities.
1 year or 2 Year Master’s and MTech degree courses: As per NEP 2020, Master’s programmes would be 1-Year where students should be completing a 4-year Bachelor’s programme with Research. Hence, Higher Educational Institutes would offer 1-year MTech programmes to those students who have completed 4-year Bachelor ’s programme with Research degree.
Universities will have the flexibility to offer different designs of Master’s programmes: (a) there may be a 2-year programme with the second year devoted entirely to research for those who have completed the 3-year Bachelor’s programme; (b) for students completing a 4-year Bachelor ’s programme with Research, there could be a 1-year Master’s programme.
There may be an integrated 5-year Bachelor’s/Master’s programme.
Changes in PhD Programmes: PhD programmes at universities around the country will be re-oriented in many ways; introduction of new credit-based courses in teaching and writing; actual teaching experience; and changes in eligibility.
All fresh PhD entrants, irrespective of discipline, will be required to take credit-based courses in teaching/education/pedagogy/writing related to their chosen PhD subject during their doctoral training period.
Exposure to pedagogical practices, designing curriculum, credible evaluation systems, communication, and so on will be ensured since many research scholars will go on to become faculty or public representatives/communicators of their chosen disciplines.
PhD students will also have a minimum number of hours of actual teaching experience gathered through teaching assistantships and other means. PhD programmes at universities around the country will be re-oriented for this purpose.
Admission to PhD shall require either a Master’s degree or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with Research. Hence, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with research can pursue PhD without having PG degree.
Students with Bachelor’s degree with research (4-year) – NEP’s proposed new degree programme – can apply 1 Year MTech proggrammes or PhD programmes.
New Education Policy suggested the MPhil programme shall be discontinued.
