All universities must have grades, semesters, orders UGC

BENGALURU: In a move that will benefit lakhs of students and impact over 400 universities across the country, the University Grants Commission has mandated the introduction of grading system from 2015-16. It has directed universities to standardize their examinations and follow a semester pattern in curriculum. Currently, many universities follow the numerical marking system. The new move will provide wider options for students to learn and ensure their seamless mobility across institutions. The move comes following a meeting last week between state education ministers and HRD minister Smriti Irani. The regulatory body has directed universities to introduce the choice-based credit system (CBCS) and credit framework for skill development (CFSD). Currently, some universities follow the credit system for courses at different levels. Under CBCS, students will pursue three types of courses - foundation, elective and core. Students must pursue core subjects every semester, and can pick electives from a pool of subjects unrelated to their disciplines. The foundation courses may be of two kinds - compulsory and elective. Compulsory courses, mandatory for all disciplines, help students gain knowledge. Elective courses are value based. Bangalore University registrar (evaluation) Ninge Gowda KN told TOI that BU has implemented both CBCS and CFSD from 2014 and will switch to grades from 2015. His Mangalore University counterpart, PS Yadapadithaya, said they introduced CBCS for PG courses two years ago. "We're awarding both marks and grades. From next year, we will stick to grades," he said. "CBCS will enhance the knowledge of students as it will expose them to different subjects. It has been introduced in our university and we will start giving grades instead of marks from the next academic year," said Meena Chandavarkar, vice-chancellor of Karnataka State Women's University. TOI