Big Shift in Indian Education: Universities Can Now Admit Students Twice a Year

Universities Can Now Take Admissions Twice A Year: UGC Chairman
Admissions are allowed twice a year in Indian universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) thanks to a major policy reform implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Declared by UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar, this new rule seeks to provide students more freedom and possibilities while bringing Indian educational procedures into line with international norms. Read more, Vivekananda Global University ranks third in India in the Global University Rankings 2024.

Introduction to Biannual Admissions
Universities will offer two admission cycles beginning with the academic session of 2024–25: one in July–August and another in January–February. This modification, which reflects the procedures of many overseas colleges, is intended to help students who may not have made it to the first round of admissions for a variety of reasons, including postponed board results, health problems, or personal situations.
Benefits for Students and Institutions
By cutting down on the enrollment wait time, biennial admissions, claims Kumar, would be very beneficial to students. Students who missed the July–August entrance cycle used to have to wait a whole year to reapply. The new method allows them to keep their drive and momentum going by securing admission in January or February.
Moreover, biennial admissions will improve graduate job prospects. Industry recruiting on campus will be possible twice a year, in line with the new admission cycles and increasing the likelihood that graduates will find work quickly after graduation.
Enhancing Institutional Efficiency
The head of UGC emphasized that HEIs would be able to better organize and use their resources—faculty, labs, classrooms, and support services—with biennial admittance. Universities should benefit operationally from this simplified strategy, which should also guarantee better use of available resources.

Global Competitiveness and Collaboration
Offering biennial admissions is not required, the UGC has made very clear. Universities may decide to use this system depending on their requirements and capabilities provided they have the required infrastructure and faculty. This freedom spares universities from having to raise their student body or launch new programs in developing fields.
Flexibility and Non-Mandatory Implementation
Biannual admissions will require HEIs to concentrate on administrative details and careful preparation to guarantee a seamless transition. This entails training staff and teachers, changing institutional rules, and offering smooth support systems to students accepted at various periods of the year.
Implementation and Planning
Biannual admissions will require HEIs to concentrate on administrative details and careful preparation to guarantee a seamless transition. This entails training staff and teachers, changing institutional rules, and offering smooth support systems to students accepted at various periods of the year.

Trials and Success with ODL and Online Programs
The success of comparable procedures in online and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs informed the decision to permit biannual admissions. The fact that almost half a million more students were able to register via these channels shows the possible advantages of biannual admissions.
Impact on Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER)
Biannual admissions should raise the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education. To increase the total number of students pursuing higher education in India, the strategy seeks to provide more chances for students to enrol.
Adapting Entrance Exams
The UGC recommends twice-yearly admission tests for programs that need them, like PhD and postgraduate degrees. Students would have greater freedom and the admission procedures would be much more in line with the biennial calendar. For example, institutions may already start admitting PhD candidates biannually based on the UGC-NET results, which are currently administered twice a year.
Conclusion
The decision of the UGC to permit biannual admissions represents a major change in Indian higher education. With more flexibility and alignment with international standards, this approach should help students, promote institutional effectiveness, and raise the profile of Indian institutions abroad. Ensuring a seamless transition and sufficient preparation of all stakeholders for this new era in Indian higher education would be the main priorities as institutions get ready to execute these reforms.

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