Karnataka government scraps four-year degree program

Karnataka government has scrapped the NEP (National Education Policy) 2020 recommended four-year undergraduate degree program in public universities and affiliated colleges and has reintroduced the three-year degree program (with no option of a fourth year) for the academic year 2024-25.

The order issued on Wednesday was based on recommendations by the State Education Policy (SEP) Commission in its interim report.

The commission in its first interim report to the government recommended changes on duration of the degree program (whether three years or four years), curriculum structure and multidisciplinary curriculum (for the students getting admission in 2024-25 AY) and multiple entry and exit with certificate (after one year) or diploma (after two years).

The government decided to restrict the degree program to three years based on this report and also recommended three UG (undergraduate) Curriculum Frameworks (CFW) which have been agreed upon.

With this order, Karnataka has gone back to the conventional three-year degree program that existed prior to 2021-22 when the state adopted the National Education Policy (NEP).

The NEP was adopted by the then-BJP government in the state and was the first to adopt the curriculum. However, after Congress came to power last year, it decided to scrap it.

Students and colleges had earlier expressed concerns over the lack of clarity in pursuing a four year degree program as per the NEP.

"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," said the higher education department defending the decision, adding, that it was based on "extensive" consultation by the SEP Commission.

"Keeping a four-year degree program would potentially reduce access to undergraduate education for the poor, the socially-disadvantaged groups such as SCs, STs, women and students from rural areas," the government said.

Only those students admitted during 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 will have the option to study a fourth year. "In case the four-year honors program is not available in colleges where students are currently studying, then they can select from a list a list of colleges identified by the respective universities," the order stated.

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