The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given a plan allowing Indian universities and institutions to offer biannual admissions twice a year the green light.

This will mark a significant shift from the traditional annual admission cycle and allow for a more flexible and student friendly approach, especially for those who may fall behind a cyclical admission season and may have to wait an entire year for the next one— leaving a gap in between their studies. 

Benefits of Biannual Admissions for Students

The new biannual admission cycles are set to commence from the 2024-25 academic session, with intakes in in two phases from July-August and January-February.

For those who may have delayed admissions in the July-August session due to delayed board results, health issues or other personal reasons, the second admission window will help offer them another chance.

It will also reduce the individual acceptance waiting period for each student as the entire student body will not wait for one single intake to apply but apply as per their comfort. 

UGC Chief Jagadesh Kumar highlighted the advantages of this system, noting that it would not only aid students but also allow industries to conduct campus recruitment events twice a year, thereby improving the employment opportunities for graduates.

biannual admissions
Image Source:
eLearning Industry

He also emphasised the need for universities to plan their resource distribution effectively, including faculty, labs, classrooms and support services, to ensure a smooth transition for students admitted at different times of the year.

“Universities worldwide already follow a biannual admission system. If Indian higher education institutes (HEIs) adopt the biannual admission cycle, our HEIs can enhance their international collaborations and student exchanges. As a result, our global competitiveness will improve, and we will align with the global educational standards,” Kumar said. 

“If HEIs adopt biannual admissions, they need to work on administrative intricacies, good planning for increased use of available resources, and providing seamless support systems for the smooth transition of students admitted at dissimilar times of the year. HEIs can maximize the usefulness of biannual admissions only when they sufficiently prepare faculty members, staff and students for the transition.”

The UGC has clarified that biannual admissions will not be mandatory for all institutions. Only those universities and HEIs with the necessary infrastructure and teaching faculty are encouraged to utilise this opportunity. This ensures that the quality of education and support provided to the students remains uncompromised. 

Recently, the UGC has undertaken many measures to revamp the Indian education sector.

With the onset of this academic year, the UGC announced that students with four-year undergraduate degrees could directly appear for the National Eligibility Test (NET) and pursue PhD programs. This policy aims to bridge the gap between graduates and the workforce and is a measure to avoid stagnation in academia and help develop the employability of Indian students. 

You might also be interested in - UGC demands report from universities on prevention of caste-based discrimination