In a significant shift for higher education in India, universities and other higher education institutions (HEIs) will now be allowed to offer admissions twice a year, aligning with practices followed by many foreign universities. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved the move, and from the 2024-25 academic session, admissions will be conducted in two cycles: July-August and January-February, UGC Chairperson M. Jagadesh Kumar announced.
Benefits of biannual admissions
The introduction of biannual admissions is expected to provide several advantages for students and universities alike. According to UGC chief Kumar, this change will benefit students who, for various reasons, miss out on the regular admission cycle in July-August. These reasons could include delays in the announcement of board results, health issues, or personal matters.
“If Indian universities can offer admission twice a year, it will benefit many students, such as those who missed admission to a university in the July-August session due to a delay in the announcement of board results, health issues, or personal reasons,” Kumar said in an interview with PTI.
In addition to this, biannual admissions could also help students maintain their academic momentum. Currently, if students miss the admission deadline, they are forced to wait for an entire year to reapply. With the new system, they can apply just a few months later in the January-February cycle, helping them stay motivated and focused on their education.
Enhanced employment opportunities
Kumar further highlighted that biannual admissions could improve employment prospects for graduates by allowing industries to conduct campus recruitment drives twice a year. This system would offer more frequent opportunities for students to enter the job market, potentially boosting overall employment rates among recent graduates.
“With biannual admissions in place, industries can also do their campus recruitment twice a year, improving employment opportunities for the graduates,” Kumar explained.
Efficient resource management and international collaboration
The introduction of biannual admissions will also help universities better manage their resources, including faculty, classrooms, laboratories, and other support services. By spreading out the student intake over two sessions, HEIs can optimize the use of their existing infrastructure, enhancing the overall functional flow within the institution.
“Biannual admissions will enable higher education institutions to plan their resource distribution, such as faculty, labs, classrooms, and support services, more efficiently,” Kumar said.
Moreover, the move is expected to improve Indian universities’ global competitiveness. Many universities around the world already follow a biannual admission system, and adopting this approach could strengthen international collaborations, facilitate student exchanges, and bring Indian institutions closer to global educational standards.
“Universities worldwide already follow a biannual admission system. If Indian HEIs adopt the biannual admission cycle, our HEIs can enhance their international collaborations and student exchanges, thereby aligning with global educational standards,” Kumar added.
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Challenges and flexibility for institutions
While the introduction of biannual admissions brings several potential benefits, Kumar emphasized that HEIs would need to prepare carefully for the transition. This includes addressing administrative complexities and ensuring that faculty members, staff, and students are well-prepared for the new system. Effective planning will be essential to ensure that resources are used efficiently and that students admitted in different cycles receive adequate support.
“If HEIs adopt biannual admissions, they need to work on administrative intricacies, good planning for increased use of available resources, and providing seamless support systems for the smooth transition of students admitted at different times of the year,” Kumar stated.
However, the UGC has clarified that offering biannual admissions will not be mandatory for all institutions. Only those universities and HEIs with the necessary infrastructure and faculty support will be able to take advantage of the new system. This flexibility allows institutions to increase their student intake and introduce new programs in emerging areas if they choose to do so.
“Offering biannual admissions will not be mandatory for HEIs. It is the flexibility that UGC provides to HEIs that want to increase their student intake and offer new programs in emerging areas,” Kumar explained. Institutions interested in adopting the new system will need to amend their regulations accordingly to accommodate the changes.
The UGC’s approval of biannual admissions marks a significant step forward in making Indian higher education more accessible and flexible. By providing additional opportunities for students to enroll, improving resource management within institutions, and aligning with global academic practices, this move has the potential to enhance both the quality and reach of higher education in India.
