UGC allows Indian universities to offer admissions twice a year, like foreign universities

University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced that it will now allow Indian universities and higher education institutions to offer bi-annual admissions, a common practice in foreign universities.

Indian universities and higher education institutions will now be permitted to offer admissions twice a year, much like foreign universities, following approval from the University Grants Commission, UGC chief Jagadesh Kumar said.

In a major decision, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to allow higher education institutions to admit students twice a year, starting from the next academic year. Admissions will now be open in January/February and July/August, providing more opportunities for students who miss the initial cycle due to delays in board results, health issues, or personal reasons.

UGC Chairman Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar said that biannual admissions will benefit students by reducing the wait time for enrollment and increasing their motivation. It also allows industries to conduct campus recruitment twice a year, enhancing employment opportunities for graduates.

Earlier, the UGC permitted biannual admissions for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online modes, resulting in nearly half a million additional students enrolling. Taking a cue from this success, the UGC extended the policy to regular mode programmes.

This change aligns Indian universities with global practices, potentially improving international collaborations and student exchanges. However, offering biannual admissions is not mandatory, and universities must amend their regulations to accommodate this system.

Biannual admissions are expected to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio and contribute to making India a ‘Global Study Destination’ as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.