The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has initiated significant reforms within the higher education landscape by introducing four-year undergraduate (UG) programs for non-professional fields. However, this opportunity will not be uniformly accessible across all institutions or to every student.
To qualify for admission into the fourth year of a UG program, students are required to achieve a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 7.5 while also completing the necessary credits by the conclusion of their third year. Only those colleges that offer postgraduate (PG) degrees and doctoral (PhD) research programs alongside their UG offerings in the same discipline are permitted to provide the fourth year of UG studies. Other institutions must obtain specific approvals.
Universities are tasked with developing comprehensive frameworks and eligibility criteria for their affiliated colleges that lack PG or PhD programs in the relevant fields aiming to implement the fourth year of UG degrees under the NEP 2020. These criteria may encompass aspects such as infrastructure, accreditation status, faculty qualifications, and partnerships with research institutions.
In instances where a college is denied approval to offer a fourth year in UG studies, eligible students from these institutions may transfer to another college or university where such a program is sanctioned. Admission will depend on the validation of previous learning achievements and will be subject to available seating, approved capacity, and the existing reservation policies. Universities will establish specific guidelines for these lateral transfers, which may include provisions for additional seats beyond normal capacity.
As the 2026-27 academic year approaches, Maharashtra’s Department of Higher and Technical Education has released guidelines concerning the fourth year of UG degrees as suggested by NEP 2020. A recent Government Resolution (GR) outlines the criteria for both fourth year honors and fourth year honors with research programs, which will be available to students upon completing their third year of UG studies, provided they meet eligibility requirements.
The GR specifies, “The fourth year of the four-year UG program will not be automatically granted to any college. Colleges offering a three-year UG program must request permission to initiate a fourth-year UG program, adhering to existing statutory procedures.”
Furthermore, it notes that colleges already authorized to conduct PG degree programs in conjunction with UG degrees in the same subject will be permitted to offer the fourth year of the UG honors degree program without additional procedures. Likewise, institutions with recognized PG programs and PhD research centers can commence the fourth year of the UG honors with research degree program without undergoing further approvals.
The guidelines assert that for students attending colleges that only provide a three-year UG degree, universities will devise appropriate methods for facilitating admission into the fourth-year honors programs at other colleges.
According to the new directives, students are generally expected to achieve a CGPA of 7.5 and fulfill credit requirements (approximately 120–132 credits) by the end of their third year. Additionally, all students must register with the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) portal to enable credit transfers and facilitate a flexible system for multiple entries and exits within their academic journey.
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