In an attempt to create a homogenous structure of higher education, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to implement a common minimum syllabus (CMS) across all state varsities. This new course will commence in BA, BSc and BCom programmes from the new academic session, read reports. According to an official release, the new structure will enable students to pursue multidisciplinary studies.
UP Universities to promote interdisciplinary growth
The common minimum syllabus pattern will open an avenue for the students to customise their own courses. For instance, students in the arts stream can opt for one subject, either from the science or commerce stream. Similarly, science students can study any subject of arts or commerce- such as history or economics alongside.
The new opted subject will be independent of the two major subjects of the chosen course. It may be noted that students have been awarded the liberty to change their main subject in the second or third year of graduation as well.
The fourth subject in every course will be a minor elective (one paper from a particular subject). This will be opted by a student from a different faculty. Besides, two other subjects- one vocational and one compulsory co-curricular subject, will round up the graduation syllabus. The state has announced that the skill development course (vocational subject) will be taught only for the first two years (four semesters) and will award three credits each.
UP universities to implement an annual 46 credit structure
With the new CMS, the credit system has also been altered. Now, there will be 6 co-curricular subjects, each carrying 2 credits. Students are required to complete these subjects in the first 3 years of the programme. Besides, the passing percentage of these subjects have been marked at a minimum of 40%.
While these grades will be mentioned on the mark sheet, they will not be part of the cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Students have to bank in 46 credits in one year, under the new structure. Each semester will stretch up to 15 weeks- where students need to secure minimum marks to qualify and minimum credits to obtain a degree.
