IIT-Kharagpur Introduces 'Double Major' Program, Discontinues Branch Change

IIT-Kharagpur has announced the discontinuation of the branch change option for students after their first year. This move is aimed at mitigating stress and depression among the student body. Historically, this policy allowed first-year undergraduate engineering students to switch their specialization to more popular fields such as computer science or mechanical engineering.

Replacing this system, IIT-Kharagpur has introduced a 'double major' program. This initiative enables students to pursue an additional major alongside their primary field of study, thereby offering them a broader educational experience.

The decision, which emerged from a recent senate meeting, reflects a comprehensive approach to student welfare. "The change comes in response to the observation that only a small fraction of students could successfully switch branches due to high academic requirements and limited availability, leading to undue stress among the majority," explained an insider.

A senior official elaborated on the benefits of the 'double major' option, noting that it will provide undergraduates with a valuable second specialization, enhancing their skill set and reducing psychological strain. The implementation specifics, such as credit requirements and scheduling, are currently being formulated by the respective departments.

A student from IIT-Kharagpur welcomed the change, expressing that the removal of the branch-change option would alleviate undue pressure and the new double major system would encourage the exploration of diverse academic interests.

Additionally, the senate meeting resulted in the consolidation of the Semester Away Internship Program and Semester Away Project Program into a single Semester Away Program. Furthermore, students enrolled in dual-degree, BS, and MS programs will now be eligible to participate in the Interdisciplinary Dual Degree Program offered by the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.