Over 300 universities in the country will have the option to implement the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) starting from the upcoming academic session. However, participation in FYUP will not be mandatory as students will still have the choice to pursue a three-year undergraduate program.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has stated that students who opt for FYUP will receive a four-year undergraduate degree with a research specialization, known as the UG Honours degree. Currently, FYUP is already in place in approximately 150 universities across the country for the 2023-24 academic session. UGC Chairman Professor M. Jagadish Kumar expects this number to double in the next session.
During the start of the 2023-24 academic session, 105 universities across the country adopted FYUP. This included 19 central universities, 24 state-level universities, 44 deemed universities, and 18 private universities. Prominent institutions that implemented FYUP include Delhi University, Aligarh Muslim University, Jammu Central University, Visva Bharati University, Rashtriya Sanskrit University, and Maulana Azad National Urdu University. The total number of universities offering FYUP has now increased to 150.
The framework of FYUP grants students the flexibility to choose between a three-year undergraduate degree and a four-year Honours degree, aligning with the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP). To achieve the four-year Honours degree, students will need to complete 160 credits, whereas a three-year UG degree requires 120 credits.
Students who desire research specialization will be required to undertake a research project within the four-year undergraduate course. By doing so, they will earn an Honours degree with research specialization.
Experts believe that the revised draft of FYUP will greatly benefit students aspiring to pursue higher education abroad. The number of Indian students seeking higher education outside the country has been consistently increasing. In 2021, over 6 lakh Indian students pursued higher education abroad, compared to 4.44 lakh students the previous year. Canada, Germany, Australia, the United States, and Italy are the top five countries preferred by Indian students for overseas studies.
According to the new UGC draft, students will now obtain an undergraduate ‘Honours’ degree after completing four years of study, rather than the traditional three years. UGC affirms that the draft curriculum and credit framework of FYUP adhere to international standards. In terms of education equality, Indian students will now have more opportunities for higher education in American and Western universities.
However, some academics hold a differing opinion. Noted educationist CS Kandpal believes that FYUP will benefit students seeking admission to renowned American universities. Nevertheless, he emphasizes the need to incorporate skill-building components into the program to enhance employability and facilitate student success abroad. These skills may include communication, adaptability, foreign language proficiency, and self-awareness.
Kandpal further remarks, “The primary objective was to include a larger number of students in the three-year program within the country. FYUP serves as an extension of the three-year degree program. However, the structure of this type of education, with its focus solely on admission to foreign universities, does not adequately prepare students for both graduation and a successful career. Institutions planning to introduce FYUP should consider this aspect.”
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