Academic Bank of Credits and University Grants Commission (UGC)

Why in news?

• In a path-breaking step towards implementing a key suggestion in the National Education Policy (NEP), the University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed norms for the establishment of an Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) that would help students learn subjects of their choice from multiple colleges and varsities at the same time.

About UGC

• The University Grants Commission (UGC) came into existence on 28th December, 1953 and became a statutory organization of the Government of India by an Act of Parliament in 1956, for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in university education.
• The UGC Act, 1956 set up University Grants Commission under the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
• The UGC has the unique distinction of being the only grant-giving agency in the country which has been vested with two responsibilities: that of providing funds and that of coordination, determination and maintenance of standards in institutions of higher education.
• The UGC’s mandate includes:
  • Promoting and coordinating university education.
  • Determining and maintaining standards of teaching, examination and research in universities.
  • Framing regulations on minimum standards of education.
  • Monitoring developments in the field of collegiate and university education; disbursing grants to the universities and colleges.
  • Serving as a vital link between the Union and state governments and institutions of higher learning.
• Advising the Central and State governments on the measures necessary for improvement of university education.

About Academic Bank of Credits:

• ABC will allow students of undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses to exit the course and enter within a stipulated period.
• Academic Bank of Credits shall provide to every student the facility to open unique or individual Academic Bank Account in digital form; and the account holder shall be provided with a unique ID and access to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
• The ABC Regulations intend to give impetus to blended learning Mode, allowing students to earn credits from various HEIs registered under this scheme and through SWAYAM, an online repository of courses.
• The student can earn up to 50 per cent credits from outside the college/university where she/he is enrolled for the degree/diploma programme.
• Courses undergone by the students through the online modes through National Schemes like SWAYAM, NPTEL, V-Lab etc. or of any specified university, shall also be considered for credit transfer and credit accumulation.
• Credits obtained by students by undergoing Skill-courses from Registered Higher Education Institutions offering vocational Degree or Diploma or Post Graduate Diploma or Certificate programmes are also eligible for accrual and redemption of credits through the Academic Bank of Credits.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding “University Grants commission”:
1.It is a statutory body formed by an act of Parliament.
2.It is responsible for disbursing grants to the universities and colleges.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question