University academic year to start in August: UGC

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairperson Prof. M Jagadish Kumar said that the academic sessions of undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students in universities would begin in the first week of August for the session 2024–25.

The UGC Chairperson said, “The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the results of CUET UG 2024 by mid-June.”

Admission to UG programs this year will be granted by around 261 universities based on the results of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). By the end of June, all universities had been directed to declare the UG and PG results. Students will have enough time to finish their semester preparations and the admissions process. 

A request has been made to extend the deadline by two weeks for project work and internships in professional courses.

Considering this, plans are underway to begin classes by the first week of August. The UG and PG programs' first-year admission is based on the CUET score, whereas second, third, and fourth-year students will take semester examinations. The results of the previous year will have to be released by the end of June 2024.

The higher education institutions will have enough time between the end of June and the first week of August for students to finish the admissions process and get prepared for the upcoming semester. The commencement of classes, examinations, holidays, the last day of the semester, etc. is based on the academic calendar.

Prof. Kumar stated, “There are more than 4 crore seats in higher educational institutions. 4 crore students are registered in various degree programs, while around 3.41 crore students are pursuing their first degree. Universities have also been given autonomy to increase seats. Under NEP 2020, students have the freedom to choose 3-year or 4-year UG courses. Whatever course a student takes in the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC), its credits will be added to ABC.”

“The preparations are underway to start the National Digital University as the country's first online university in the academic session of 2024. This will be the world's largest online university. This university aims to bring together higher education institutions, industry, and EdTech platforms. Its objective is to provide quality, affordable education to rural, remote, and working professionals at home,” he added.

Pro. Kumar stated, “It is mandatory for all higher educational institutions to follow the fee rules. If higher educational institutions violate the rules of refunding fees, then UGC will take strict action against them. There is also a provision for a fine, a reduction in seats, and the and the closure of course studies for some period. If a student cancels the admission before the seat is confirmed, he will get the full fee refunded. But if a student leaves the seat within the stipulated period after the seat is confirmed, then some amount will be deducted.”

The University Grants Commission (UGC) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1956 to coordinate, determine, and maintain standards of teaching, examination, and research in university education.