The University Grants Commission which has allowed students to pursue two degrees simultaneously has released guidelines for the same. As envisioned under the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), students can pursue two degrees of subjects of their choice irrespective of the stream of the other degree.

“With the rapid increase in demand for higher education and limited availability of seats in regular stream, several Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have started several programmes in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode to meet the aspirations of students. It has also led to the emergence of online education programmes which a student can pursue within the comforts of her / his home.

“The issue of allowing the students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously has been examined by the Commission keeping in view the proposals envisaged in the National Education Policy – NEP 2020 which emphasizes the need to facilitate multiple pathways to learning involving both formal and non-formal education modes,” the UGC said.

This, the Commission believes will allow fostering overall development of students while also giving room for promotion of development in academic and non-academic spheres.

Not only is this intended to promote multi-disciplinary learning but also enables an individual to study one or more specialized areas of interest at a deep level, and develop character, ethical and constitutional values, intellectual curiosity, scientific temper, creativity, spirit of service.

What the guidelines have: 

• Students can pursue both degrees offline, provided class timings do not overlap.
• One of the two degrees could be pursued online from higher education institutions approved by or both degrees can be pursued online.
• Online courses must be pursued from UGC or GOI or Statutory council approved institutions only.
• PhD students cannot apply for a dual degree.

Also read: UGC allows students to pursue dual degree courses