Chandigarh. Punjab University (PU) has provided significant relief to students enrolled in its four-year Integrated Undergraduate (UG) Honors programs by deciding to award a degree or certificate upon the completion of three years—without requiring the student to formally ‘exit’ (leave) the course. Until now, under the National Education Policy (NEP), this facility was available only to those students who formally withdrew from the course after completing their third year. With this new decision, students will be able to attain graduation eligibility even while continuing their studies.
This decision stands to benefit hundreds of students studying at Punjab University and its affiliated colleges. The decision was taken during a meeting of a high-level university committee, which was constituted to deliberate on issues related to the implementation of the NEP.
The meeting was presided over by the Dean of University Instructions (DUI), while the NEP Cell Coordinator, Anil Monga, steered the proceedings. Subsequently, the decision received approval from the Vice-Chancellor. Currently, the powers of the Syndicate and the Senate rest solely with the Vice-Chancellor; otherwise, a formal proposal would have had to be submitted to the Senate and the Syndicate for this purpose. This arrangement will be uniformly applicable across PU and all its affiliated colleges.
In reality, a significant number of students were facing a predicament where, despite having completed three years of the four-year course, they were unable to apply for competitive examinations because they did not possess a recognized graduation degree. A graduation degree is a mandatory prerequisite for various employment opportunities, ranging from the Civil Services to numerous other jobs.
Despite the provisions existing within the NEP, the mandatory ‘exit’ clause was proving to be a hindrance for students. In light of this specific issue, a new rule (mechanism) has now been devised, enabling students to obtain a certificate or degree upon the completion of three years of study, even while they continue to pursue the full course.
However, certain conditions have been stipulated for availing this facility. Students will be required to deposit a prescribed fee. Meanwhile, students who complete a fourth year to obtain an Honours degree will be required to surrender the three-year degree or certificate previously issued to them. University officials state that this measure has been adopted with the objective of providing practical relief to students without compromising the academic framework.
This decision will directly benefit students who are preparing for the Civil Services, banking, or other competitive examinations and wish to fulfill the eligibility criteria in a timely manner. They will no longer be compelled to discontinue their courses midway simply to obtain a degree.
On the other hand, some PU student leaders have initiated protests demanding that students enrolled in five-year integrated law courses—such as BA LLB and B.Com LLB—be awarded a degree after the completion of three years. They argue that, in the absence of this provision, law students would be left at a disadvantage in competitive examinations.
However, the university administration has clarified that the matter regarding law courses is distinct, as these programs are governed by the regulations of the Bar Council of India. Consequently, any changes in this regard would necessitate the approval of the regulatory body.
