UGC Allows Biannual College Admissions in India Starting 2024-25 for Greater Flexibility

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced that colleges in India will be able to admit students twice a year starting from the 2024-25 academic session. This decision aims to provide higher education institutions (HEIs) with greater flexibility, allowing them to offer admissions either in January-February or July-August.
Colleges offering programs in both online and physical modes can now utilize this biannual admission policy, although it is not mandatory. The option is designed for institutions looking to increase student intake and introduce new programs in emerging fields. To implement this change, colleges will need to amend their existing rules, as per UGC guidelines.
Previously, UGC had permitted biannual admissions under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online modes, leading to a substantial increase in enrolments. In July 2022, a total of 19,73,056 students enrolled, with an additional 4,28,854 students joining in January 2023. This demonstrated that the second academic session enabled nearly half a million students to commence their degree programs without waiting a full year.
UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar highlighted the benefits of the new policy, noting that students who miss the July-August admissions due to delays in board results, health issues, or personal reasons can now have another opportunity in January-February. Additionally, biannual admissions are expected to enhance campus recruitment opportunities for industries, improve employment prospects for graduates, and allow HEIs to manage resources like faculty, labs, classrooms, and support services more efficiently, leading to a better operational flow within universities.