New Delhi [India], Universities and higher education institutions in India can now admit students twice a year, similar to the admission process followed by universities abroad, according to University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Jagdish Kumar.
There will be two admission cycles July-August and January-February from the 2024-25 academic session.
"If Indian universities can offer admissions twice a year, it will benefit many students. Such as those who are unable to take admission in the university in July/August session due to delay in declaration of board results, health problems or personal reasons. UGC Chairman Kumar on Tuesday said the biennial university admissions will help students maintain their motivation as they will not have to wait for an entire year for admissions if they miss admissions in the current cycle. .At present, UGC regulations permit Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to admit students in one academic session in a year starting from July/August. An 'academic session' lasts twelve months, starting in July/August.
Therefore, Indian HEIs follow the academic session which starts in July–August and ends in May–June.
The UGC in its 571st Commission held on July 25, 2023, had decided to allow biennial admissions under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online mode in January and July during an academic year.
According to the information provided by HEIs on the UGC DEB portal, a total of 19,73,056 students were enrolled in July 2022 and an additional 4,28,854 students joined ODL and online programs in January 2023.Considering the overwhelming response and interest of students in online programs in ODL and biennial admissions, the UGC in its meeting held on 15th May this year decided to allow higher education institutions offering the programs in regular mode to admit students twice. Took a policy decision. UGC Chairman said that from the upcoming academic year either in January/February or July/August.
Institutions that have the necessary infrastructure and teaching faculty can use this opportunity to admit students twice a year.
It is not mandatory for HEIs to offer biennial admission; This is the flexibility that the UGC provides to higher education institutions that want to increase their student intake and offer new programs in emerging areas. To be able to admit students twice a year, HEIs will have to make suitable amendments to their institutional rules."With biennial admissions, industries can also conduct their campus recruitments twice a year, which will improve employment opportunities for graduates," UGC chairman Kumar said.
He said the biennial entry would enable HEIs to plan their resource distribution, such as faculty, laboratories, classrooms and support services more efficiently, resulting in better functional flow within the university.
Noting that universities across the world already follow the biennial admission system, he said if Indian institutions adopt the biennial admission cycle, they can enhance their international collaborations and student exchanges. “As a result, our global competitiveness will improve and we will be at par with global educational standards,” the UGC chairman said.
He said biennial admissions could significantly increase the gross enrollment ratio and make India a 'global study destination', as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.Further, Kumar said that if HEIs adopt biennial admissions, they will have to overcome administrative complexities, good planning for incremental utilization of available resources and provide seamless support system for smooth transition of students seeking admission at different times of the year. Need to work on doing.
"HEIs can maximize the utility of biennial admissions only if they adequately prepare faculty, staff, and students for the transition"
There will be two admission cycles July-August and January-February from the 2024-25 academic session.
"If Indian universities can offer admissions twice a year, it will benefit many students. Such as those who are unable to take admission in the university in July/August session due to delay in declaration of board results, health problems or personal reasons. UGC Chairman Kumar on Tuesday said the biennial university admissions will help students maintain their motivation as they will not have to wait for an entire year for admissions if they miss admissions in the current cycle. .At present, UGC regulations permit Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to admit students in one academic session in a year starting from July/August. An 'academic session' lasts twelve months, starting in July/August.
Therefore, Indian HEIs follow the academic session which starts in July–August and ends in May–June.
The UGC in its 571st Commission held on July 25, 2023, had decided to allow biennial admissions under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online mode in January and July during an academic year.
According to the information provided by HEIs on the UGC DEB portal, a total of 19,73,056 students were enrolled in July 2022 and an additional 4,28,854 students joined ODL and online programs in January 2023.Considering the overwhelming response and interest of students in online programs in ODL and biennial admissions, the UGC in its meeting held on 15th May this year decided to allow higher education institutions offering the programs in regular mode to admit students twice. Took a policy decision. UGC Chairman said that from the upcoming academic year either in January/February or July/August.
Institutions that have the necessary infrastructure and teaching faculty can use this opportunity to admit students twice a year.
It is not mandatory for HEIs to offer biennial admission; This is the flexibility that the UGC provides to higher education institutions that want to increase their student intake and offer new programs in emerging areas. To be able to admit students twice a year, HEIs will have to make suitable amendments to their institutional rules."With biennial admissions, industries can also conduct their campus recruitments twice a year, which will improve employment opportunities for graduates," UGC chairman Kumar said.
He said the biennial entry would enable HEIs to plan their resource distribution, such as faculty, laboratories, classrooms and support services more efficiently, resulting in better functional flow within the university.
Noting that universities across the world already follow the biennial admission system, he said if Indian institutions adopt the biennial admission cycle, they can enhance their international collaborations and student exchanges. “As a result, our global competitiveness will improve and we will be at par with global educational standards,” the UGC chairman said.
He said biennial admissions could significantly increase the gross enrollment ratio and make India a 'global study destination', as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.Further, Kumar said that if HEIs adopt biennial admissions, they will have to overcome administrative complexities, good planning for incremental utilization of available resources and provide seamless support system for smooth transition of students seeking admission at different times of the year. Need to work on doing.
"HEIs can maximize the utility of biennial admissions only if they adequately prepare faculty, staff, and students for the transition"
