Indian universities and higher education institutions will soon have the option to offer admissions twice a year, following a decision by the University Grants Commission (UGC). UGC chief Jagadesh Kumar announced that this move, aligned with the practices of foreign universities, will commence from the 2024-25 academic session. The two admission cycles will span from July-August and January-February.

Kumar highlighted the benefits of biannual admissions, stating, "If Indian universities can offer admission twice a year, it will benefit many students such as those who missed admission in the July-August session due to delayed board results, health issues, or personal reasons."

He further explained, "Biannual university admissions will help students maintain motivation since they do not have to wait a full year if they miss admission in the current cycle. Moreover, industries will be able to conduct campus recruitments twice a year, improving employment opportunities for graduates."

According to Kumar, the new system will also enable higher education institutes to better plan their resource allocation, including faculty, labs, classrooms, and support services, thereby enhancing the functional efficiency of the university.

"Universities worldwide already follow a biannual admission system. By adopting this, our higher education institutes can strengthen their international collaborations and student exchanges. This will boost our global competitiveness and align with international educational standards," Kumar emphasized.

He clarified that the adoption of biannual admissions will not be mandatory but will provide flexibility to higher education institutes interested in increasing student intake or offering new programs in emerging areas. Institutes willing to admit students twice a year will need to make suitable amendments to their institutional regulations and ensure administrative preparedness.

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