The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) new framework for undergraduate education, which allocates more than 20 credits to skill-based and value-added courses, is garnering support from college managements and students in Telangana.
With a revised structure planned for implementation from 2025–26 academic year onwards, courses in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and soft skills will now carry academic credit.
Officials from the Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) believe the move will ease academic pressure while promoting practical learning. Following consultations with vice-chancellors of state universities, the TGCHE has decided to reduce the total number of credits required for a degree from 150 to 142.
“In line with UGC guidelines, we are revising the credit structure. Degree programmes will now include 30 credits each for two major subjects, 40 credits for language courses, and 20 for minor subjects. The remaining credits will be dedicated to skill-based and value-added courses,” said V Balakista Reddy.
He added that the changes are intended not only to lessen academic load but also to provide students with essential practical skills.
College management representatives welcomed the shift toward more hands-on education. “Previously, there were no credits assigned to skill-based or value-added courses. It’s encouraging to see the focus shift toward practical knowledge,” said Y Ramakrishna, Secretary of the Telangana Degree College Managements Association. However, he stressed the need to also streamline the syllabus, which he said remains too extensive for most degree programmes.
“The syllabus must be trimmed first to avoid overburdening students in each semester,” he noted.
Students have also expressed enthusiasm for the new approach. “Our biggest challenge is the lack of practical exposure and familiarity with new technologies. If implemented well, this change could really help us,” said N Deepthi, a recent intermediate graduate preparing to enroll in a degree programme.
Currently, 457 undergraduate courses are being offered across Telangana colleges through the Degree Online Services, Telangana (DOST) portal. This year, 3,71,096 course options are available. In the first phase of counseling, 89,572 candidates registered, with 60,436 receiving seat allotments.
