Banaras Hindu University is gearing up for implementation of National Education Policy 2020 from the upcoming academic session 2024-25. The university made a significant headway in this regard with the Academic Council approving the proposal to implement NEP 2020 from the next academic session. The key highlight of the proposal is the implementation of the Four Year Undergraduate Program, for both Honours and Research, namely UG Honours and UG Honours with Research. As per the proposal, only 10% of the total admitted students with a CGPA of 7.5 and above will be permitted to select UG Honours with Research based on merit. The proposed programs focus on overall growth of students in order to shape them into responsible citizens, who are able to make best use of their university education in terms of their individual and professional growth. 

Those completing UG Honors with Research will become eligible for the Ph.D. program without having to pursue a postgraduate degree. The proposed program gives the students flexibility in choice of minor courses from a large range of options. All the undergraduate students will have to pursue credits on Multidisciplinary Courses, Skill Enhancement Courses, Ability Enhancement, Value Added Courses, as well as internships. Those pursuing honours with research will write a dissertation in their final semester. The Academic Council, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain, after detailed deliberations approved the information bulletin for the undergraduate admissions for session 2024-25. 

The Council also approved the rationalization of fees in various programs for the undergraduate admissions for session 2024-25. Currently there are a large number of variations in fee structures of various programs, faculties and departments. The university has attempted to bring uniformity in the fee structures and do away with complexities. 

The five-year B.A.L.L.B. course offered by the Faculty of law, being the special course category, will remain unchanged. Similarly, skill enhancement professional programs at South Campus and those regulated by specific regulatory bodies, will continue to run in the same manner, as they do not fall under the purview of NEP. Besides, the council also gave a go ahead to the proposal of offering hostel facilities in subsequent years to only those students who have at least 70% attendance in classes. Departments have been advised to review their current offerings and formulate modalities to make effective the proposed changes. 

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain said that the Academic Council’s approval to implementation of National Education Policy is just the first step and there is a lot that remains to be done. We will continue to have constant discussions and brainstorming internally in the Faculties and the Departments in order to address challenges as well as tap the opportunities that lay ahead. Prof. Jain said that the university fraternity has put in a lot of hard work to come up with a policy that is student friendly and aims at their holistic growth. 

Registrar Prof. Arun Kumar Singh conducted the meeting of the Council. Prof. Mukul Raj Mehta made a presentation on the implementation of NEP. Prof. Rakesh Raman presented the outline of the proposal on rationalization of the fee as well as information bulletin of undergraduate admissions 2024-25.