Universities in India can now admit students twice a year: UGC chairman

New Delhi: Universities and higher education institutions in India can now admit students twice a year similar to the admission process followed by universities abroad, according to the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Jagadeesh Kumar.

New Admission Cycles

The two admission cycles will be July-August and January-February from the 2024-25 academic session.

"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. Biannual admissions will help students maintain motivation since they do not have to wait one full year to be admitted if they miss admission in the current cycle," UGC Chairman Kumar said on Tuesday.

Existing Academic Session Structure

Currently, UGC Regulations allow the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to admit students in one academic session in a year starting in July/August. An 'Academic session' is twelve months, beginning in July/August.

Indian HEIs, therefore, follow the academic session that begins in July-August and ends in May-June.

UGC’s Decision on Biannual Admissions

UGC had decided in its 571st commission held on 25 July 2023 to permit biannual admissions under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online modes in January and July during an academic year.

(With ANI Inputs)