The Gujarat State Government has announced in a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that a uniform curriculum and credit framework will be implemented across all private and government universities, colleges, and recognized educational institutions in the state. This major move comes under the new education policy, aiming to streamline and standardize academic structures.
Effective from the 2023-24 academic year, the Common Curriculum and Credit Framework will apply to all first-year students admitted after 15th June 2023. A detailed resolution concerning this significant change will be released by the Education Department. Education Minister Hrishikesh Patel emphasized that students obtaining a four-year honors-research degree would only need to undertake an additional year of study to gain a postgraduate degree.
Elaborating on the framework, Minister Patel stated that the decision was taken to fortify the provisions of the NEP-2020, establishing a structure of 22 credits per semester. A student can accumulate up to 132 credits over three years and 176 credits over four years.
The framework's draft received 197 suggestions from 47 stakeholders, including university representatives, student associations, Vice-Chancellors, Principals, Professors, and the public. Upon considering this feedback, the Government Resolution on the Common Curriculum and Credit Framework has been finalized.
Moreover, the structure allows students to earn 4 additional credits from summer internship courses. Upon successful completion, students will be awarded degrees including UG Certificate, UG Diploma, Bachelor Degree, Bachelor Honors Degree, and Bachelor Research Degree. This structure will also accommodate for minor electives, multidisciplinary, and allied related courses.
The updated policy also provides greater flexibility to students, eliminating restrictions on subject choices. Students can now select from a wider array of subjects from the prescribed basket or other university subjects. Furthermore, the new framework supports an "entry-exit" structure, allowing students to enter the workforce or return to their studies within a specific timeframe after obtaining certain credits.
The policy comes into effect for non-regulated courses from the academic year 2023-24, with the four-year Honors, Honors with Research Program (Level-06) being applicable from the academic year 2026-27. This marks a significant stride towards more flexible, student-oriented higher education in Gujarat.
