New Education Policy 2020
4-year UG Honours Degree Programmes under NEP 2020
(w.e.f. session 2024-25)
The Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar has introduced 4-year under graduate Honours Degree Programmes as per NEP 2020 in all the affiliated colleges/ constituent colleges from the academic year 2024-25. The University has developed the curricular framework for Honours programmes incorporating a credit-based grading system, a multidisciplinary approach, with specialization in a single discipline specific course in the 4th year of the program.
This policy mandates compliance with the curricular framework and standard operating procedures outlined herein. Compliance with these procedures is mandatory for all the colleges.
The curriculum framework for 4-year UG Degree Programmes has the following features:
1. Discipline Specific Courses: Discipline Specific Courses (DSC) are designed to provide in depth knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular field or profession. These courses focus on specialized content and methodologies tailored to the needs of students pursuing carrier in that discipline. These courses are integral to build a solid foundation in the respective fields and often involve both theoretical study and practical application through labs, projects, internship etc.
Each student is required to select and successfully complete three DSCs as part of first 3 years of their undergraduate degree program, in the 4th year of undergraduate honours degree programme, students have the option to choose any one of the Discipline Specific Courses (DSC) that they have studied during the first three years of their undergraduate degree programme.
2. Ability Enhancement Courses: Ability Enhancement Courses (ABC) are designed to develop essential skills and competencies that complement the student's major field of study, enhancing their overall educational experience and employability.
Each student is required to successfully complete at least one ABC every year during first three years of undergraduate degree program.
3. Multidisciplinary Courses: Multidisciplinary Courses (MDC) are designed to integrate knowledge and methodologies from multiple disciplines, providing student with a holistic understanding of complex issues and fostering innovation thinking.
Each student is required to select and successfully complete at least one MDC every year during first 3 years of undergraduate degree program.
4. Skill Enhancement Courses: Skill Enhancement Courses (SEC) are designed to develop specific skills that are valuable for personal growth, academic excellence, and carrier readiness.
Each student is required to select and successfully complete at least one SEC every year during first 3 years undergraduate degree program.
5. Value Added Courses: Value Added Courses (VAC) are designed to provide students with specialized knowledge and understanding in critical areas that are relevant to societal and environmental challenges.
Value added courses viz Drug Abuse: problem management and prevention, Environmental Studies, and Human Rights & Constitutional Duties are mandatory qualifying courses for a student of an undergraduate degree program. Students is required to successfully complete all the three VACs during first 3 years of undergraduate degree programme.
Standard Operating Procedures
Entry and Exit options for Students of 4-year UG Degree Programme with Honours:
Entry 1: 1st year (1st Sem.):
The entry requirement for the 1 year of 4-year UG Degree is Intermediate/12m class of PSEB/CBSE/ or any other equivalent certificate and as per the eligibility conditions as specified in the Ordinances related to respective stream/programme.
Entry 2: 4th year (VIIth Sem.):
A student who has completed a three-year degree program with three discipline specific subjects (majors) may enter in the 4th year (VII Sem) of Honours programme in any one of the three discipline specific subjects (major) studied in the first three years of the UG Degree Programme.
Note: Students who complete the first three years in a college shall be automatically promoted to the 4th year within the same college, without any new admissions provided the student must fulfil all eligibility and promotion criteria as stipulated in CBGS Ordinances.
Exit 1: after 3-years (6 sem.):
Students must pass all courses/papers in Semesters 1 to 6 if they wish to exit after three years with a normal UG Degree.
A Bachelor's Degree is to be awarded if students exit after successful completion of 3-year of study.
Exit 2: after 4-years (8 sem.):
A Bachelor's Degree with Honours is to be awarded if students exit after successful completion of 4 year of study.
Note: Rest of the Ordinances will be as per Credit Based Grading System (CBGS) for Affiliated/Constituent/ University Colleges/Capacity Enhancement Programme/ Private Candidates, and will be in accordance with the University Calendars or as stipulated in the ordinances of the respective stream/programme unless otherwise specified.