UGC Constituted committee recommends new BS, BA, BCom Degrees
For a postgraduate degree programme either of one-year or two-year duration, the existing nomenclature of MA / MCom / MSc, etc. will continue.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) constituted committee has recommended new nomenclature for undergraduate degree programmes. The committee has recommended new four-year undergraduate degree programs like Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, BA (Hons with Research) and BCom (Hons with Research), with a component of research in it.
The recommendations of the Expert Committee to Review the Notification on the Specification of Degrees and Suggest New Degree Nomenclature(s) have suggested that the existing degree nomenclature may be modified to be in sync with international norms.
As per the recommendation, a four-year undergraduate degree programme in any discipline may also have a Bachelor of Science abbreviated as BS as a specified nomenclature. This nomenclature shall apply to all disciplines like Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Management, Commerce etc.
Under the New Education Policy 2020, the committee constituted by the UGC to review the degree nomenclature has recommended several changes to allow multiple entry and exit pathways to students.
As per the Document accessed by Shiksha.com, “Given the provisions for Multiple Entry and Multiple Exit in Higher Education, the National Credit Framework (NCrF), and the Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes (CCFUP) as envisaged under the NEP 2020, it would be appropriate to recognise qualifications at the level of undergraduate certificate, undergraduate diploma, and postgraduate diploma also.”
Degree nomenclature to be in sync with international norms
It suggests that a student may be considered for the award of a qualification (like a certificate/ diploma/ degree) once the required number of credits have been earned, irrespective of the minimum duration of the programme.
The degree nomenclature may be modified to be in sync with international norms. Accordingly, in case of specialisation or a major subject at the undergraduate level, the programme nomenclature on the degree certificate awarded to the students may also be written as “Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Science in specialisation”.
A University planning to introduce the courses with new nomenclature, a proposal for the same, along with justification, shall be submitted to the UGC. The Standing Committee constituted for the purpose shall consider the same and make recommendations to the Commission.
On the approval of the Commission, the newer degree nomenclature shall be notified by the UGC.
3-year B.A., B.Com, B.Sc
As per the recommendations of the committee, in case the undergraduate degree programme is of three years duration, it may be referred to as BA / BCom / BSc. The existing three years undergraduate degree Honours programmes may also continue.
MA. MCom to continue
The committee has recommended that for a postgraduate degree programme either of one-year or two-year duration, the existing nomenclature of MA / MCom / MSc, etc., may continue.
“A one-year or two-year postgraduate degree programme in any discipline may also have a Master of Science abbreviated as MS as a specified nomenclature. This nomenclature shall apply to all disciplines like Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Management, Commerce etc,” it reads.
The proposed changes, as recommended by this Committee, would only be applicable on a prospective basis, and all such existing degree nomenclature shall continue to be relevant even after the promulgation of this document.
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Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.