Banaras Hindu University reviews NEP 2020 execution: Here’s what to know about the new framework for student flexibility and reforms
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) convened a review meeting to evaluate the ongoing implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and outline the next steps for its full application across the university.The meeting, held on Monday, was chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi and attended by Directors of Institutes, Deans of Faculties, Principals of Colleges, Professor Madhoolika Agrawal (Chairperson), Professor B.P. Mandal (Convener), Dr. Ashutosh Mohan (Co-convener), and members of the NEP Implementation Cell.
Discussions on FYUGP rollout
The review focused on the rollout of the First Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP), which includes the four-year Undergraduate (Honours) and Undergraduate (Honours with Research) frameworks. The meeting discussed student progression routes, credit structure, and academic support mechanisms.
Key deliberation points
One of the central topics was Major-Minor combinations and flexibility. The university is considering measures to allow students within the same department to combine courses more easily, while also exploring options for inter-department combinations. The meeting also discussed enabling students to change majors or minors after their first year and the possibility of adding a second minor after the third semester, while maintaining vocational components.On the internship modality, the participants reaffirmed the implementation of two-credit, pass/fail internships after the first and second years, aimed at improving engagement with industry, government, and community partners for applied learning.In the context of Multidisciplinary (MD) and Value-Added Courses (VAC), the meeting reviewed ways to streamline course allocation, redesign introductory offerings, and expand the VAC basket beyond existing subjects such as Ayurveda, Yoga, and Environmental Studies. Improvements in course conduct and evaluation processes were also discussed.The session addressed the scale of Ability Enhancement Courses (AEC), Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC), and Vocational Courses, highlighting the need to strengthen practical components and standardise paper formats and evaluation methods.
SWAYAM and credit flexibility
To encourage participation in online courses, BHU will continue to allow students to earn up to 40% credit in each category through the SWAYAM platform, with a maximum of 60% in the “Others” category. The university is developing internal mechanisms to conduct examinations for SWAYAM courses adopted by its students, as per University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines.The meeting reiterated the flexibility of credit pacing between 18 to 22 credits per semester, with a minimum of 160 credits required across eight semesters. Plans for a postgraduate NEP roadmap and phased implementation were also discussed.
Entry and exit framework
BHU will continue its current policy of no lateral entry but may consider a conditional framework in the future, depending on seat availability, National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) or Common University Entrance Test (CUET) benchmarks, merit, and reservation criteria. The university reaffirmed its multi-exit system, allowing certification, diploma, or degree based on the stage of exit.Concluding the meeting, the university reiterated its commitment to maintaining student choice, academic quality, and procedural consistency in alignment with the principles of NEP 2020.(with ANI inputs)
