BHU reviews NEP 2020 rollout, discusses next steps on four-year UG, credits and internships
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, October 7 — Banaras Hindu University has reviewed the rollout of the New Education Policy 2020 and discussed modalities for the next phase of implementation across the institution, with a focus on student choice, credit flexibility and academic quality.
The meeting, held on Monday and chaired by Vice-Chancellor Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, brought together Directors of Institutes, Deans of Faculties and Principals of colleges. It was attended by members of the NEP Implementation Cell, including Chairperson Prof. Madhoolika Agrawal, Convener Prof.
B.P. Mandal and Co-convener Dr. Ashutosh Mohan. Deliberations centred on the First Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) rollout, which includes the four-year UG (Honours) and UG (Honours with Research) framework, as well as student routes, credit architecture and academic support systems.
The university examined how to make major–minor combinations more flexible, including easing combinations within the same department and exploring options across departments. It discussed implementing a rule that allows students in certain departments to switch majors or minors after the first year, and considered the possibility of adding a second minor after Semester 3 while preserving vocational components.
On internships, the university affirmed two-credit, pass/fail internships after Year 1 and Year 2, alongside plans to deepen ties with businesses, government agencies and community partners to support hands-on learning.
For Multidisciplinary (MD) and Value-Added Courses (VAC), the discussion included streamlining the allocation process, redesigning entry-level MD offerings, expanding the VAC basket beyond Ayurveda, Yoga and Environmental Studies, and improving conduct and assessment processes.
In AEC/SEC/Vocational courses, the focus was on delivering at scale (such as English under AEC), restoring appropriate practical inputs in SEC/Minor (Vocational), and standardising paper formats and evaluation. The meeting also addressed SWAYAM credits and examinations, encouraging students to take online courses by permitting 40% credit in each category (up to 60% for “Others”).
It discussed developing modalities within the university to conduct examinations for adopted SWAYAM courses taken by its own students, in line with UGC rules, to broaden student options and balance faculty load. Credit pacing and a postgraduate roadmap were revisited, reiterating flexibility of 18–22 credits per semester with a minimum of 160 credits over eight semesters, and charting a phased adoption of NEP at the postgraduate level.
On entry and exit, the university said it would continue its no-lateral-entry stance for now. A conditional framework for potential future consideration was discussed, subject to seat availability, NIRF/CUET benchmarks, merit and reservation. Exit pathways with certification, diploma or degree were reaffirmed.
The university reiterated its commitment to student choice, academic rigour and seamless processes in line with the spirit of NEP-2020.