Premium

IIT-Bombay to smaller institutions, students make most of flexible entry, exit policy

Currently, some 153 universities offer multiple entry options, benefiting thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The key enabler here is the NEP-2020’s Multiple Entry and Multiple Exit (MEME) framework.

At IIT Bombay, a student who had dropped out midway through his course, returned last year to complete his degree over a cumulative span of 12 years. Taking advantage of a provision to impart a certain degree of flexibility in learning outcomes, the student, who left his degree midway to launch his own start-up, came back to the engineering college to wrap up his degree. There are more such students, particularly from the rural and economically weaker backgrounds who are now doing this, including a large number of those who opted to take an early exit to support their families financially during challenging times.

The key enabler here is the NEP-2020’s Multiple Entry and Multiple Exit (MEME) framework, which was aimed at promoting academic flexibility and reducing dropout rates by empowering students to pause and resume education based on their personal and professional needs. Currently, some 153 universities offer multiple entry options, benefiting thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

“Indeed, the flexibility offered under the MEME provision is being increasingly embraced by students across the country. A case of an IIT student returning to complete his degree after 12 years is a remarkable example. Similar stories are emerging from various other institutions, reflecting how transformative this policy truly is,” T G Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, told The Indian Express.

He said that this provision, in particular, is proving to be beneficial for students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, “(They) are benefiting significantly. Many of them opt to take an early exit with a recognised certificate or diploma, enabling them to support their families financially during challenging times. Once their situation stabilises, they are able to rejoin their academic journey seamlessly—thanks to the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), which allows them to store and retrieve previously earned credits across institutions,” Prof Sitharam said.

IIT-Bombay to smaller institutions, students make most of flexible entry, exit policy

He said that in effect, MEME eliminates the fear of losing an educational career due to unforeseen circumstances. “Students no longer feel compelled to drop out permanently due to emergencies like financial instability, health issues, or personal responsibilities. The system gives them the freedom to take a pause, explore job opportunities or skill development, attend to urgent matters, and return to the same or even a different institution to resume and complete their degree. This level of flexibility was previously unheard of in Indian higher education… AICTE continues to monitor and document such cases across the country as evidence of the maturing and student-centric direction Indian higher education is now heading towards,” he added.

Aanchal Magazine

Aanchal Magazine is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, serving as a leading voice on the macroeconomy and fiscal policy. With over 13 years of newsroom experience, she is recognized for her ability to decode complex economic data and government policy for a wider audience. Expertise & Focus Areas: Magazine’s reporting is rooted in "fiscal arithmetic" and economic science. Her work provides critical insights into the financial health of the nation, focusing on: Macroeconomic Policy: Detailed tracking of GDP growth, inflation trends, and central bank policy actions. Fiscal Metrics: Analysis of taxation, revenue collection, and government spending. Labour & Society: Reporting on labour trends and the intersection of economic policy with employment. Her expertise lies in interpreting high-frequency economic indicators to explain the broader trajectory of the Indian economy. Personal Interests: Beyond the world of finance and statistics, Aanchal maintains a deep personal interest in the history of her homeland, Kashmir. In her spare time, she reads extensively about the region's culture and traditions and works to map the complex journeys of displacement associated with it. Find all stories by Aanchal Magazine here ... Read More

Anil Sasi

Anil Sasi is the National Business Editor at The Indian Express, where he steers the newspaper’s coverage of the Indian economy, corporate affairs, and financial policy. As a senior editor, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the narrative around India's business landscape. Professional Experience Sasi brings extensive experience from some of India’s most respected financial dailies. Prior to his leadership role at The Indian Express, he worked with: The Hindu Business Line Business Standard His career trajectory across these premier publications demonstrates a consistent track record of rigorous financial reporting and editorial oversight. Expertise & Focus With a deep understanding of market dynamics and policy interventions, Sasi writes authoritatively on: Macroeconomics: Analysis of fiscal policy, budgets, and economic trends. Corporate Affairs: In-depth coverage of India's major industries and corporate governance. Business Policy: The intersection of government regulation and private enterprise. Education Anil Sasi is an alumnus of the prestigious Delhi University, providing a strong academic foundation to his journalistic work. Find all stories by Anil Sasi here ... Read More