Pune: A majority of students are reluctant to enrol in four-year degree courses implemented under the National Education Policy (NEP) in 2023-24, according to internal surveys of some autonomous colleges. Principals of these colleges reported that only 30% or fewer students expressed interest in pursuing the fourth-year honours programme.
Student Perspectives on Four-Year Degree
Students indicated that those aiming for competitive exams would opt out after three years, while others interested in research or studying abroad would choose the four-year honours course. Maharashtra implemented NEP 2020 from the 2023-24 academic year, and the first batch is now completing its three-year degree. The final number of students enrolling in the fourth year will be clearer by June-end.
A BSc biology student from Fergusson College said he opted for honours with research but remained uncertain. He explained that the rule allows students with 75% or above to skip a master's degree and apply for UGC NET or PhD. Even with lower marks, they can pursue a one-year master's and then a PhD. However, he questioned the quality of the four-year course due to lack of information on syllabus and admission, wondering whether to choose a university or the traditional two-year master's at a reputed institute.
Ganesh Mali, a political science student from Modern College, said he would opt for the four-year course only if public policy is offered. He noted that options are still unknown, and if his preferred subjects are unavailable, he will join a two-year master's programme with more diverse choices.
College Administrators Await Clarity
There are 74 autonomous colleges affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), covering Pune, Nashik, and Ahilyanagar districts. Despite their autonomy, these colleges await clarification from SPPU to start the fourth-year admission process. Administrators seek guidelines on lateral entry for students from other colleges, subjects offered, and equivalence formulas.
An internal survey at Modern College revealed only 1 out of 100 students interested in the four-year programme. Principal Nivedita Ekbote stated that no clarity has been provided by the government or university regarding admissions and operations. She mentioned a meeting with Higher Education Minister Chandrakant Patil last month, but no resolution was reached.
Denying these claims, SPPU Pro Vice-Chancellor Parag Kalkar said that meetings and workshops have been conducted, and the government resolution is self-explanatory. He noted that only six colleges sought clarification, and their issues were resolved. Kalkar emphasized that autonomous colleges do not need permission for every detail, as that defeats autonomy.
College administrators noted that four-year honours courses will have limited options and seats, open to all students with requisite credits, regardless of their third-year college. Deepak U Powdel, principal of BMCC, reported that out of 600 students, only 80 expressed interest. He highlighted the challenge of offering limited subjects with few students, requiring at least 60 students for three subjects with 20 each.
Future Plans and Challenges
Kalkar called 2026-27 an experimentation year, urging colleges to see it as an opportunity to produce employable graduates in four years instead of 3+2. He suggested that colleges coordinate to offer exclusive subjects to attract enough enrolments. Ekbote raised concerns about teacher workload and the need for additional appointments, which would require a different fee structure. She questioned whether such changes were allowed and noted that few students choosing a subject made it economically unviable.
In response, Kalkar stated that colleges can apply for teachers on a clock-hour basis and increase fees with approval from the fee regulation committee. He emphasized flexibility, allowing colleges to opt out of the fourth year if they choose. He announced that a draft implementation plan would be shared with all colleges on Monday, followed by an online meeting for suggestions and objections. The final version will be presented to the academic council on May 30 and uploaded on the website.
