The Education Ministry wants to implement FYUP or Four Year Undergraduate Programs/ Courses in all the Universities, especially the Central Universities in the country very soon in line with the National Education Policy, NEP 2020. 

It has been one year since the implementation of the National Education Policy, NEP 2020. The government is working in mission mode for its successful implementation. It has also taken various initiatives under this policy. Now, the Education Ministry wants to take another step to bring a positive change in the education sector. 

The Education Ministry wants the universities to start planning on providing 4-year undergraduate courses as well as 2-year post-graduate courses. These courses will run along with the universities’ existing courses. It means that the universities will be allowed to run their regular 3-year courses along with the new courses. With FYUP, the students will also get various entry and exit options as per the guidelines of the NEP 2020. 

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the New Education Policy has an undergraduate degree course of both 3 years and 4 years. Similarly, the degree course in post-graduation is of 2 years and 1 year.

How is the new initiative going to be implemented?

To ensure the successful implementation of this new initiative, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has already started its discussions with all the universities across the country. Also, the Education Ministry has asked the vice-chancellors of these universities to formulate plans for successful implementation of the FYUP. 

The universities have been given autonomy to implement this new initiative in their own way which suits students the best. 

What benefits the students will get through this new FYUP initiative?

1. The FYUP gives the students the chance to choose their own study programme and degree.
2. The students can utilize their final year to do some advanced courses in the emerging areas.
3. The students can also get training in research methodology. It will prepare them to directly join the Ph.D. program if they are interested in working in the research field.
4. The flexibility of entry and exit options will allow students to get enrolled in some other specialized training or research work and then come back to complete their degree.
5. The students can also opt for additional skill-oriented courses in their 4-year undergraduate programme. It will help them to become job-ready just after their graduation. 
6. This initiative will allow students to exit the course with a diploma (after 2 years), graduation (after 3 years), or graduation with honours (after 4 years). It will ensure that the students get their college degree if they drop out of college due to any reason.

As per the information from the Education Ministry, this FYUP will be seen very soon in all 45 Central Universities of India.

Bangalore University has recently introduced 2 honours courses for the current academic year. These courses are FYUP and are in line with the NEP 2020. Also, Delhi University has approved the implementation of these programmes from the next academic year.

The Education Ministry has also confirmed that this FYUP will be different from the one that was started in 2013. The Education Ministry has said that this new initiative of FYUP will have a more holistic approach.