Over 300 universities in India will have the option to implement the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) starting from the upcoming academic session. However, it will not be mandatory as students can choose between the FYUP or the traditional three-year undergraduate program.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has stated that students pursuing the FYUP will receive a four-year undergraduate “UG Honours” degree with research specialization. Currently, the FYUP has been introduced in approximately 150 universities across the country for the 2023-2024 session. According to UGC Chairman Professor M. Jagadish Kumar, this number is expected to double in the next session.
Initially, 105 universities implemented the FYUP at the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic session. These universities consist of 19 central universities, 24 state-level universities, 44 deemed universities, and 18 private universities. Prominent institutions such as Delhi University, Aligarh Muslim University, Jammu Central University, Visva Bharati University, Rashtriya Sanskrit University, and Maulana Azad National Urdu University are among those offering the FYUP. The total number of universities implementing this program has now increased to 150.
Within the framework of the FYUP, the UGC has introduced the option for students to pursue a three-year undergraduate degree or a four-year Honours degree, in accordance with the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP). As outlined by the UGC Chairman, students will obtain a three-year UG degree upon completion of 120 credits, and a FYUP Honours degree upon completion of 160 credits within four years.
For students interested in research specialization, the four-year undergraduate course will require them to undertake a research project. Upon completion, they will be awarded an Honours degree along with research specialization.
Experts believe that the new draft of the FYUP will benefit students aspiring to pursue higher education abroad. The number of Indian students seeking overseas education has been steadily increasing. In the previous year, over 600,000 Indian students went abroad for higher education, compared to 444,000 in 2021.
According to data, the top five preferred countries for Indian students studying abroad are Canada, Germany, Australia, the United States, and Italy. Under the new UGC draft, Indian students will only receive an undergraduate “Honours” degree after completing four years instead of three. The UGC asserts that the draft curriculum and credit framework of FYUP align with international standards. This international equivalence in education levels will provide Indian students with increased opportunities for higher education in American and Western universities.
However, some academics hold a different viewpoint. Noted educationist CS Kandpal stated that while the FYUP may aid students seeking admission to renowned American universities, the program should focus on teaching skills that improve employability. These skills, including communication, adaptability, foreign language proficiency, and self-awareness, would also prove beneficial for students studying abroad.
Kandpal emphasized that the primary objective of introducing the FYUP was to involve a greater number of students in the three-year program in India. The FYUP serves as an extension of the traditional three-year degree program. Kandpal added that institutions planning to implement the FYUP need to consider the importance of equipping students with the necessary skills for both graduation and pursuing careers in prestigious foreign universities.
I have over 10 years of experience in the cryptocurrency industry and I have been on the list of the top authors on LinkedIn for the past 5 years. I have a wealth of knowledge to share with my readers, and my goal is to help them navigate the ever-changing world of cryptocurrencies.
