UGC Instructs HEIs to Initiate Mechanism to Allow Students to Pursue 2 Academic Degrees

University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to develop a mechanism through their statutory bodies that could facilitate the students who want to pursue two academic degree programmes simultaneously. Earlier, UGC issued guidelines for pursuing two academic degrees simultaneously. On Jan 10, 2023, UGC posted an official letter and directed all the universities to devise a mechanism to initiate the dual degree programme.

The instruction was issued after several students voiced their worries about their challenges due to higher education institutions' insistence on migration documents and school leaving certificates. UGC wrote in its letter, "In the absence of these certifications, the students are not permitted admission, and that defeats the capability of studying two academic programmes concurrently.

Also Read: UGC Opens the Door for Foreign Universities By Allowing Them to Operate in India

Guidelines for Pursuing Two Academic Degrees Simultaneously 

On Apr 2022, UGC issued several guidelines which allow students to pursue two academic degrees simultaneously. Following are the guidelines issued by the UGC in view of the objectives envisaged in NEP 2020:

• A student is permitted to enroll in two full-time academic programmes in the physical mode as long as the class schedules for the two programmes do not clash.
• A student may enroll in up to two Open and Distance Learning (ODL)/online courses simultaneously or up to two ODL/online academic programmes simultaneously.
• Only HEIs approved by the UGC, the Statutory Council, or the Government of India to operate degree or diploma programmes in the ODL/Online mode may offer those programmes.
• Lastly, all the guidelines will be applicable to the students pursuing academic programmes other than a Ph.D. programme.

The dual-degree programme aims to recognize, identify and encourage students to develop their interest in both academic and non-academic atmospheres. Furthermore, it enables the multidisciplinary nature across the science, social science, humanities, and art streams. 

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