NEW DELHI, Nov 29: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced a new initiative offering undergraduate (UG) students the flexibility to either shorten or extend the duration of their degree courses. The UGC has approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for two new programmes: the Accelerated Degree Programme and the Extended Degree Programme.

UGC Chairman, M. Jagadesh Kumar, explained to the media that the Accelerated Degree Programme will allow students to complete a three-year or four-year degree in a shorter time by earning additional credits per semester. On the other hand, the Extended Degree Programme will provide students with the option to extend their degree timeline, allowing them to take fewer credits per semester.

Under both programmes, students will be required to earn the same total number of credits as in the standard-duration programme. The Extended Degree Programme allows students to extend their degree timeline by up to two semesters, while completing fewer credits per semester.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will set up committees to evaluate students’ eligibility for these programmes. Institutions will also have the discretion to earmark up to 10 percent of their sanctioned intake for the Accelerated Degree Programme. Upon completion of the degree within the chosen duration, institutions will issue degrees for students, which will be considered equivalent to those completed in the standard duration, for all academic and employment purposes.