UGC: 2-year UG course prior to 1986 on par with 3-year degree

Students who had graduated in 2-year undergraduate course before 1986 have a reason to cheer upon as the University Grants Commission (UGC) recently announced by notifying that their two-year undergraduate course before 1986 will be treated on par with the current three-year undergraduate programme.

The decision removes the lacuna prevailing for the last three decades and provides a major relief for thousands of students who had to undertake a mandatory bridge course to enroll for a post-graduate programme.

Besides this, the students often found themselves ineligible to enroll for various jobs and promotion which demands qualification of three-year graduation course.

According to UGC Regulations, 1985, regarding the minimum standards of instructions for the grant of first degree through formal education, no student was eligible for award of degree unless he/she had completed a three-year course. This made all such candidates ineligible to seek admission to a master's degree programme.

Speaking to TOI, Senior professor of Allahabad University's modern and medieval history department Yogeshwar Tewari said that the latest step by UGC ensures that there were no double standards for candidates who have done a two-year graduation course.

"When such a course was being allowed to be offered by a recognised university and a college and declaring it to be inadequate for either job or undertaking further studies was always unjust. At a time when efforts are on to remove all hurdles hindering higher education and making it more flexible, this move of UGC needs to be appreciated," he added.

UGC has also sent a latest missive to the vice-chancellors of all universities of the country clarifying that the students who had enrolled themselves in undergraduate course prior to June 4, 1986 and had successfully completed it by then, irrespective of the duration, shall be treated at par with those who have completed three-year degree course.

"They are not required to undergo a further one-year bridge course. Degrees obtained and awarded prior to the date, shall be treated valid for all purposes including admission to a master's degree programme, other higher studies and employment," according to the missive dated August 17, 2015 sent by UGC secretary Jaspal S Sandu.