IIT Kharagpur introduces major changes in curriculum

The Indian institute of Technology Kharagpur (IITK) has introduced major curriculum reforms for undergraduate students from the academic year 202425, in keeping with the spirit of the National Educational Policy (NEP).

The changes, which intend to give greater freedom to students, include abolishing the coursechange option at the end of the first year and the commencement of the ‘double major’ system under which, for example, a B.tech student can also earn a degree in economics.

“Admission to all undergraduate programmes will be for fouryear B.tech and B.S. levels only. Students will get an opportunity to opt for the fiveyear dual degree programmes after second or third year of their study… Students can choose a fiveyear dual degree programme in his/her parent department or he/ she can also choose the Interdisciplinary Dual Degree Programmes offered by several schools and centres of the institute,” IITK said in a press release.

This, the institute said, will create interesting possibilities for the students.

Additionally, the branch change option at the end of the first year for undergraduate students admitted through JEE (Advanced) was abolished, it said.

“This is done to reduce the level of stress some students undergo to secure higher grades for branch change and availability of the option. Less than 10% of the students manage to change their branch every year, leaving the remaining 90% dejected who undergo depression, [which] sometimes results in serious mental health issues and poor performance in subsequent semesters,” the rebeing lease said.

The institute has also introduced the Semester Away Program (SAP) for undergraduate students, under which they can spend one semester in another reputed national or international institute or industry or research laboratories and earn full credits equivalent to the semester credits. They can also combine their mandatory summer internship of eight weeks with the semesterlong SAP program.