Undergraduate students will soon have flexibility in completing their programmes in less or more time than the standard three or four years, following a recent decision by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Whether students opt for an ‘accelerated’ or ‘extended’ timeline, they will earn the same degree as those on the standard track, provided they fulfil all academic requirements. Higher education institutions can offer these options starting with the 2025-26 academic session.
Here’s what the programmes might look like and how they could benefit students.
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What are ‘Accelerated Degree Programmes’ (ADPs) and ‘Extended Degree Programmes’ (EDPs)?
At the end of the first or second semester, but not beyond, undergraduate students will be allowed to opt for an ADP or an EDP. Students enrolled under an ADP will follow the same curriculum and must earn the same number of credits as required for a three- or four-year UG programme. However, they can complete their programme sooner by earning additional credits starting from the semester they choose the ADP.
Under this scheme, a three-year UG programme can be completed in five semesters instead of the standard six (shortened by a maximum of one semester), while a four-year UG programme can be completed in six or seven semesters (shortened by a maximum of two semesters) rather than eight.
On the other hand, students who choose the EDP will be allowed to earn fewer credits per semester compared to the standard programme, allowing them to take longer to complete their course. Their course duration can be extended by a maximum of two semesters.
What is the objective behind ADP and EDP, and who may benefit from it?
UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said the National Credit Framework allows students to complete UG courses in accelerated or extended programmes to accommodate “diverse academic needs and cognitive abilities”.
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“ADP allows high-performing students to complete their degrees faster by earning additional credits and allowing them to enter the workforce or pursue higher studies sooner. Conversely, EDP supports students who face academic challenges by offering them an extended timeline to complete their degrees at a manageable pace. Together, these options promote equity, ensuring all learners have the means to achieve their educational goals,” he added.
How will they be implemented?
The UGC’s recently approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) calls for higher education institutions to set up a committee to scrutinise the applications they receive for ADP and EDP at the end of the first or second semester and select students accordingly. According to the SOP, the committee will evaluate the “credit-completing potential” of the student based on their performance in the first or second semester. An institution can earmark up to 10% of the sanctioned intake for ADP students.
On the SOP not having such a cap for the number of EDP students, Kumar said: “Students with weaker academic performance often require more time to understand and apply concepts. EDP enables them to take fewer credits per semester, allowing them to focus intensely on each course without the stress of heavy workloads. This is why we have not kept any upper limit for EDP.”
The committee will also decide the minimum number of credits a student must earn in each semester under the ADP and the EDP, considering the UGC’s Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes.
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Will the exams or degrees be any different from standard ones?
The exams will remain the same as standard three- or four-year UG programmes. The SOP says that government departments, private organisations, and recruiting agencies should treat ADP and EDP degrees on par with degrees completed in the standard duration. It adds that the degree should contain a note that states that the academic requirements for a standard programme have been completed in a shorter or extended duration.
Kumar said: “ADP and EDP apply to both three-year UG programmes or four-year UG programmes with honours/honours with research. For students opting for either ADP or EDP, earning the total credits required in a standard four-year UG Programme with honours/honours with research would qualify for an Honours degree.”
When will the options kick in and how will institutions prepare?
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Kumar said higher education institutions can start offering ADP or EDP from the July-August session in the 2025-26 academic year. It would be up to the institutions to decide whether they would like to offer these programmes.
“Institutions can offer courses in online or hybrid modes, leveraging the UGC’s approval for up to 40% of courses being delivered online. This will allow students in ADP or EDP to take additional or fewer credits at their own pace without disrupting regular class schedules. Additional classes can be scheduled outside standard hours to accommodate ADP students. This option benefits students who want face-to-face interactions but have a compressed timeline,” Kumar said.
He added: “ADP students can enrol in advanced or specialised courses already part of postgraduate or advanced undergraduate curricula, allowing them to fulfil credit requirements more efficiently. Micro-credentials can be introduced, enabling students to accumulate credits at their convenience. These can include skill-based programs that align with degree requirements. Higher education institutions could introduce an inter-semester term (e.g., summer or winter) where ADP students can take additional courses. This would not interfere with the regular semester structure. Students can take electives or core courses from different departments to flexibly manage their credits.”
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UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said accelerated or extended programmes will help accommodate the “diverse academic needs and cognitive abilities” of students. (Express archives)
