Explained: Neither Clarity nor Credit, C is for Confusion in new UGC system

Why does the Human Resource Development Ministry want this system adopted?

The Ministry claims CBCS enables students to opt for courses of their choice across disciplines and pursue skills to enhance employability, while the grading system aims to facilitate seamless mobility of students across institutions. According to UGC ‘Guidelines on the Adoption of Choice-Based Credit System’, the system “provides a ‘cafetaria’ type approach in which students can take courses [or ‘papers’] of their choice, learn at their own pace, undergo additional courses and acquire more than the required credits, and adopt an interdisciplinary approach to learning”. The “credit framework for skills” allows multiple pathways between vocational education, skills, education and job markets, according to the Ministry.

Who is this system applicable to?

As per the UGC, it “shall apply to all undergraduate- and postgraduate-level degree, diploma and certificate programmes under the credit system awarded by the central, state and deemed-to-be universities”. According to the Commission’s guidelines, “it is desirable that the HEIs [higher educational institutions] move to CBCS and implement the grading system”.

From when does the new system come into force?

UGC had asked all universities to adopt it from the current academic year. It also put out a public notice on ‘Minimum Course Curriculum’ for undergraduate courses under CBCS and sought feedback from stakeholders. But it is unclear how things will unfold. The University of Delhi, where the admissions process for undergraduate courses begins this week, is still to issue instructions to colleges on the adoption of the new system. Colleges say they have no idea of the syllabus, timetables or workload assessments the CBCS will entail.

What are the criticisms against this system?

To begin with, there is lack of clarity on what the system will really mean for teachers, students and institutions. No one seems to know how the implementation of the UGC’s guidelines will actually work on the ground. Opponents of the measures have complained that these are top-down reforms being thrust upon universities, rather than coming from the universities themselves. There is also criticism that the UGC’s suggestion of a common minimum syllabus with only 20 per cent flexibility to deviate, impinges upon the autonomy of universities. The uniformity that the UGC seems to be seeking goes against the idea of critical thinking that higher education aims at. Critics also say CBCS will, by its very nature, inject lopsidedness into the system, as some courses seen to be beneficial or popular will hog most credits, leaving others squeezed out and, over time, possibly irrelevant. Finally, there is concern that the semester system will simply impose an additional burden on the teaching faculty.

What is the controversy in Delhi University?

The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) and a section of student groups feel these reforms are being hastily pushed without adequate discussion. They fear CBCS could go the way of the disastrous Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) which led to disruption, protests and confusion before ultimately being scrapped.