UGC, HRD min roll out choice-based credit system

NEW DELHI: With all central universities agreeing to move towards a choice-based credit system (CBCS) in the coming academic year, the university Grants Commission (UGC) and the human resources development (HRD) ministry have set the ball rolling to help institutions make the transition.

Eight workshops have been scheduled in central universities between March and April to explain the transition. One representative from the ministry will also accompany the UGC staff in these workshops.

A credit is a unit by which the course work is measured, and a student must complete a given number of credits to get the degree. One credit is equivalent to one hour of teaching or two hours of practical work. The CBCS allows students to select from the prescribed courses — core, elective or minor or soft skills.

“There are three things required for the shift. Each university will have to shift to semester system, restructure its curriculum to suit this and standardise exams to have a grading system in place,” said an official familiar with the developments. Grades denoted by O, A+, A, B+, B, C, P and F will be awarded.

At present, all 39 central universities have semester system in PG courses, 33 out of 39 have grading system in PG courses, 21 have grading system in UG courses and 30 have semester system in UG courses.

The workshops will be held North Eastern Hill University Shillong, Central University of Rajasthan, Banaras Hindu University, Pondicherry University, University of Hyderabad, Dr HS Gaur University, JNU in Delhi and Central University of Gujarat between March 9 and April 3.