UGC's Biannual Admission System

Aligning India's Higher Education with Global Benchmarks

Dr. Rajesh Kumar

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently introduced biannual admissions for Indian universities and institutions, marking a significant transition towards a more adaptable and accessible higher education framework. This reform is designed not only to meet national educational needs but also to align with global academic standards. In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, this initiative aims to simplify the admission process by offering students two opportunities annually: one starting in July-August and another in January-February, across various programmes including undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies. This shift replaces the previous practice of a single academic session beginning each year in July-August.

Highlighting the importance of biannual admission system, UGC Chairman Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar mentioned that the initiative will benefit many students who miss admission opportunities to a university/ institution in the July-August session due to various reasons such as health related problems, delay in announcement of board exam results, or other personal issues.

It's worth noting that the UGC has already implemented biannual admissions for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes, demonstrating significant benefits. This approach has enabled nearly half a million students to enroll in degree programmes without having to wait for a full academic year. According to UGC's Distance Education Bureau (DEB) Portal, approximately 19.73 lakh students enrolled in the July 2022 admission cycle, with an additional 4.28 lakh students enrolling in various academic programmes during the January 2023 cycle through ODL and online channels.

Biannual admissions provide students, who are left behind in the first round of admissions, the opportunity to save a full year and expedite their academic progress and seize more opportunities within their educational journey. This proactive approach not only facilitates timely advancement in education but also broadens access to higher education, effectively meeting the evolving needs and aspirations of students. It underscores a commitment to adaptability and responsiveness in the educational sector, ensuring that students can maximise their potential without unnecessary delays.

Gross Enrolment Ratio as per Mandate of NEP 2020

The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) Research Report 2020 highlights that India's Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education stands at 26.3%, significantly lower than the global average of 36.7%. This figure pales in comparison to developed nations such as the USA (88.2%), Germany (70.3%), and the UK (60%), as well as emerging economies like Brazil (51.3%) and China (49.1%). Addressing this disparity, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has set an ambitious target to elevate India's GER to 50% by 2035, aligning with international educational benchmarks.

UGC Chairman Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar asserts that implementing a biannual admission system could substantially bolster the GER in higher education. This reform is envisioned not only to attract more students but also to position India as a global hub for academic pursuits, in accordance with the NEP 2020's vision. By offering admissions in two cycles, starting in July-August and January-February, the initiative aims to eliminate barriers that might deter students from pursuing higher education, thereby fostering greater participation.

The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) is a crucial metric that gauges the proportion of students enrolled in university programmes relative to the eligible age group (18-23) for higher education. It serves as a vital indicator of both educational accessibility and inclusivity. The adoption of biannual admissions represents a strategic initiative aimed at fostering educational equity and bolstering India's competitive standing in the global arena. This proactive approach not only aims to increase enrolment rates but also endeavours to create a more dynamic and responsive higher education landscape that can better meet the diverse needs of students and the evolving demands of the global knowledge economy.

Academia-Industry Synergy for Teaching, Training, Research, and Job Opportunities

A systematic collaboration between the academia and the industry is highly required for the purpose of teaching, training, research, and job opportunities. Biannual admission process will keep academia and industry in active mode to fulfill each other's requirements through-out the year. A systematic interface through Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and tie-ups will help both the stakeholders in many ways, such as planning and development of course curriculum, providing teaching, training and research inputs/platforms, preparing graduates for the industry during their academic programmes and providing them internships and job opportunities accordingly.

The biannual admission process will provide campus recruitment opportunities for the students twice a year. It means the industry may conduct campus recruitment twice a year in universities/institutions thereby leading to more employment opportunities for the graduates. This practice will strengthen the association between the academia and the industry, which has utmost importance in today's scenario.

International Collaboration & Student Exchange Programmes

UGC Chairman Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar highlighted that the biannual admission system, long practiced in higher education globally, has significantly enriched millions of graduates abroad by offering ample opportunities. Implementing this system in Indian universities is poised not only to fulfill national educational requirements but also holds the promise for fostering international collaborations and expanding student exchange programmes, thereby enhancing India's global competitiveness and aligning with international educational benchmarks. This strategic move is expected to position India as a premier 'Global Study Destination' in the foreseeable future.

Implementation Strategy and Challenges

UGC's decision to implement biannual admissions holds significant promise for enhancing Indian higher education. However, the success of this initiative hinges on the strategies adopted by universities and the challenges they may encounter during implementation. UGC Chairman Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar views the biannual admission system as an opportunity for universities to leverage their potential and enhance competitiveness, both nationally and internationally. Notably, while the adoption of biannual admissions is encouraged, it will not be mandatory for universities to implement the system immediately. Universities retain autonomy to assess their readiness and can phase in the system gradually. Prof. Kumar suggests starting with select programmes and expanding gradually after securing necessary approvals from statutory bodies like academic and executive councils. This phased approach aims to ensure effective implementation and smooth integration of biannual admissions into the higher education landscape.

Here, it is important to note that the Indian higher education system is witnessing a number of reform measures after implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to transform the entire education scenario in the coming decades. The biannual admission system is one of the visionary initiatives in this regard. However, there are various challenges which need to be addressed on priority basis for smooth implementation of this system.

Mapping and Mobilisation of Infrastructural Resources

Indian universities/institutions are in the process of adopting various provisions, particularly new academic programmes, as per the mandate of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in a phased manner, which essentially requires adequate infrastructural resources and sufficient number of faculties and staff in most of the universities. Implementation of the biannual admission will further create additional pressure in the university system in case of inadequate infrastructure, insufficient faculty and staff and student support services, which will have adverse effect on teaching-learning, research and other activities. However, UGC Chairman Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar has already clarified that the biannual admission process is not mandatory for universities. They may assess the situation by mapping their existing infrastructural resources and accordingly proceed for the implementation of biannual admission.

Recruitment of Dedicated and Motivated Faculty and Staff

Indian universities may optimise their infrastructural resources for the usefulness of biannual admissions only when they get sufficient number of faculty and staff and to prepare them for future implementation of various provisions envisioned under the NEP 2020. At present, most of the universities/ institutions are going through a transition phase after implementation of NEP, thereby leading to excessive pressure on faculty and staff across the nation. Therefore, it is important to recruit adequate number of highly motivated and dedicated faculty and staff and prepare them for the implementation of various provisions of NEP 2020 such as biannual admission etc. through proper training. It will improve the functioning of universities and will help in the smooth conduct of admissions twice a year.

The initiative of biannual admission in Indian universities/institutions is a welcome step which will transform the Indian higher education landscape through its flexibility and accessibility. It will help in achieving a GER of 50% by 2035 as envisioned in NEP 2020. 

However, the most important aspect is its implementation at the ground level. Though it is not mandatory for the universities to implement, it is an opportunity for them. It will depend on the preparedness of Indian universities/ institutions such as their proactive planning, infrastructural resource mapping and mobilisation, recruitment of adequate number of motivated and dedicated faculty and staff, administrative readiness and development of student support mechanisms. 

(The Author is Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Central University of Jharkhand,

Ranchi. Feedback on this article can be sent to feedback.employmentnews@gmail.com). Views expressed are personal.