Maharashtra colleges to offer 4-yr degree programme from this year
The universities and colleges in Maharashtra will offer a four-year degree programme from academic year 2023-’24 in Arts, Commerce and Science stream, while professional courses under technology, pharmacy, law and teaching streams will be excluded in the first phase of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation in Maharashtra, according to a Government Resolution (GR) issued Thursday evening.
The GR issued by the Maharashtra higher and technical education department notified revised guidelines regarding syllabus and credit scheme as per the recommendations of the steering committee constituted in line with the implementation of the NEP 2020 in the state.
According to the GR, the fourth year of the four-year UG programme will not be granted to all colleges as “natural growth”. Colleges already having permission and recognition for the PG degree programme along with UG degree programme in the same Major shall be automatically allowed to continue PG degree programme and conduct the fourth year of UG Honors Degree programme. But colleges conducting only a 3-year UG degree programme will have to seek permission to commence a fourth year UG programme as extension.
The GR was issued at the end of the two-day conference held by the higher and technical education minister Chnadrakant Patil on April 19 and 20 in Lonavala to discuss various recommendations made by the steering committee for implementation of the NEP.
The GR states, “Exit options shall be provided with Certification, Diploma and basic Bachelor’s degrees to the students at the end of the second, fourth and sixth semester, respectively, in the four-year degree programme. Students will receive a Bachelor’s degree with Honors/ Honors with Research on successfully completing all eight semesters of the UG Programmes either at a stretch or with opted exits and reentries.”
