BENGALURU: The Karnataka government issued a government order on Wednesday restricting the degree programmes in the state to three years.
The UG programmes will not have the option of a fourth year degree programme, as was introduced by the National Education Policy in 2021. The fourth year was optional earlier in the NEP scheme as well.
However, the government is yet to take a decision on the multiple entry and exit options—which allows students to earn a certificate after the first year, a diploma after the second year, a degree after third year and an honours fourth year.The decision will be made after the submission of the final report and not at this stage, said the department of higher education.
The changes would have no impact on the current students who are enrolled in the academic year 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24. They would continue in the existing system until they complete their graduation. The changes that have been announced would apply only to admissions from the academic year 2024-25 onwards.
The decision was made after the government considered the interim report of the Karnataka State Education Policy Commission formed under the chairpersonship of Prof. Sukhdev Thorat in October 2023. The final report is expected to be submitted by August.
Colleges have been given three alternatives for the curriculum structure. As per the change, colleges will can offer degrees with three majors in all 6 semesters; or three majors up to fourth semester and specialization in one subject in fifth and sixth semester; or a single subject specialization from the 1st semester with Minors, (Ex: B.COM, BBA, BCA, BA/BSc (Bracket specialisation))
The new framework is expected to provide “a breadth of knowledge, industry relevant skill based courses as well as providing autonomy to universities (Board of Studies) to frame region specific courses.”
A press release from the higher education department said that the Thorat Commission held extensive public consultation over three months. “The recommendations are based on historical experience, the principle of overall interests of the students, equity, social justice and equal opportunity to students from different socio-economic backgrounds,” it said.
The UG programmes will not have the option of a fourth year degree programme, as was introduced by the National Education Policy in 2021. The fourth year was optional earlier in the NEP scheme as well.
However, the government is yet to take a decision on the multiple entry and exit options—which allows students to earn a certificate after the first year, a diploma after the second year, a degree after third year and an honours fourth year.The decision will be made after the submission of the final report and not at this stage, said the department of higher education.
The changes would have no impact on the current students who are enrolled in the academic year 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24. They would continue in the existing system until they complete their graduation. The changes that have been announced would apply only to admissions from the academic year 2024-25 onwards.
The decision was made after the government considered the interim report of the Karnataka State Education Policy Commission formed under the chairpersonship of Prof. Sukhdev Thorat in October 2023. The final report is expected to be submitted by August.
Colleges have been given three alternatives for the curriculum structure. As per the change, colleges will can offer degrees with three majors in all 6 semesters; or three majors up to fourth semester and specialization in one subject in fifth and sixth semester; or a single subject specialization from the 1st semester with Minors, (Ex: B.COM, BBA, BCA, BA/BSc (Bracket specialisation))
The new framework is expected to provide “a breadth of knowledge, industry relevant skill based courses as well as providing autonomy to universities (Board of Studies) to frame region specific courses.”
A press release from the higher education department said that the Thorat Commission held extensive public consultation over three months. “The recommendations are based on historical experience, the principle of overall interests of the students, equity, social justice and equal opportunity to students from different socio-economic backgrounds,” it said.