Implementation of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) in Assam

Abstract

India has implemented the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with the view of transforming its higher education system, aligning with the global standards and strengthening the nation’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy. The policy aimed at revamping the system into a flexible, multidisciplinary, and research-oriented one with greater academic and institutional autonomy. A key reform of the system under the NEP 2020 is the introduction of the FYUGP across states. In Assam, it was introduced in the academic year 2023–24. It incorporates a flexible curriculum structure enriched with skill-based, value-added and inter-disciplinary courses, including provision for multiple entry and exit. Its Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) facilitates academic mobility and uninterrupted learning. Basing on secondary sources of information and applying qualitative technique, this paper attempts to investigate prospects of the programme and challenges of its implementation. We found that the FYUGP implementation in Assam faces significant structural and institutional challenges. Our study underscores inadequate infrastructure, shortage of qualified teachers, financial constraints, and governance inefficiencies as key hindrance of effective implementation of the programme. Furthermore, freezing of teacher recruitment, restrictions on appointment of contractual teachers in colleges of Assam, including partial as well as delays in reimbursement of student fees under government’s schemes have aggravated the challenges. These challenges are more pronounced in rural and socio-economically disadvantaged regions with scarce institution for higher education. We argue that despite the potentiality of the FYUGP to reform higher education significantly, the programme would remain unsuccessful unless the critical infrastructural, financial and administrative gaps are addressed.