In a significant development towards reshaping Assam’s higher education system, Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to brief him on the comprehensive reforms being implemented under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The meeting held at Raj Bhavan underscored Assam’s commitment to position itself as a model state in NEP rollout with structural, curricular, and administrative changes targeting qualitative transformation.
The Education Minister apprised the Governor, who is also Chancellor of state universities, about the department’s achievements and future action plans. The presentation included data-driven insights into university accreditations, faculty recruitments, research initiatives, blended learning models, and multidisciplinary course frameworks aligned with NEP 2020.
Focus on Academic Bank of Credits and Multidisciplinary Learning
Dr Pegu informed the Governor that the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) system is being actively implemented across public universities and affiliated colleges. Under this system, students’ academic credits are digitally recorded to facilitate seamless transfers and multiple entry-exit options envisioned by NEP 2020.
Additionally, efforts are underway to introduce multidisciplinary undergraduate programmes offering flexible combinations of arts, science, commerce, and vocational courses to prepare graduates for dynamic career landscapes.
New Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) Structure
The Higher Education Department has mandated universities to transition to the NEP’s Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) from the upcoming academic session. The FYUP will incorporate:
- First year: Broad-based foundation courses
- Second and third years: Discipline-specific majors/minors with skill courses
- Fourth year: Research project or advanced coursework leading to Honours with research
This structure aims to improve academic rigour, research orientation, and employability prospects of Assam’s graduates.
Faculty Recruitment and Capacity Building
The Minister briefed the Governor about accelerated faculty recruitment to bridge teacher shortages in state universities and colleges. Over 1,200 assistant professor posts have been advertised this year, with recruitment examinations scheduled in phases till September.
Moreover, the department is organising faculty development programmes on NEP pedagogy, outcome-based education, and blended learning. Training partnerships have been initiated with IIT Guwahati, Gauhati University, and national research institutions to upskill educators for the new curriculum framework.
Digital Transformation in Higher Education
Assam has prioritised digitisation of higher education governance and learning platforms. Key initiatives include:
| Digital Initiative | Implementation Highlights |
|---|---|
| DHE Digital Portal | Centralised admissions, faculty data management, and student records operational since January 2025 |
| Learning Management Systems | Adopted by 75% state universities for blended learning and online assessments |
| ABC Integration | Linked with National Academic Bank of Credits portal to record student credits digitally |
| Digital Certificates | Universities issuing blockchain-enabled degree certificates for security and verification |
Dr Pegu stated that digital readiness will enable universities to deliver blended and online courses seamlessly in alignment with NEP’s vision for technology-driven education.
Research Promotion and Innovation Focus
To enhance Assam’s research output and innovation capacity, the Higher Education Department has launched funding schemes for faculty and postgraduate researchers. The Minister briefed the Governor on the following initiatives:
- State Research Grant Scheme (SRGS): Financial support up to ₹10 lakh per project for state university faculty research
- Innovation Incubation Centres: Established at Cotton University, Dibrugarh University, and Assam Science and Technology University to mentor student startups and research prototypes
- Industry-Academia MoUs: Over 25 MoUs signed in 2024-25 to promote collaborative research and internships
Progress Review of NEP Implementation in Universities
The Governor reviewed university-wise progress metrics shared by the department:
| University | FYUP Status | ABC Integration | Research Grants Awarded (2024-25) | Faculty Recruitment (Posts Filled) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauhati University | Syllabus finalised, to start 2025-26 | Integrated | 28 | 145 |
| Dibrugarh University | Syllabus development ongoing | Partially integrated | 19 | 121 |
| Tezpur University | Already NEP compliant as central university | Fully integrated | 35 | NA |
| Assam University | Final approval pending | Not yet integrated | 14 | 92 |
| Cotton University | Ready to implement | Integrated | 22 | 87 |
The Minister assured that remaining universities will be brought on board within the current fiscal to ensure NEP uniformity across Assam’s higher education sector.
Financial Allocations for NEP Reforms
Dr Pegu highlighted increased budgetary allocations for NEP reforms. For FY 2025-26, the Assam government earmarked over ₹580 crore for higher education development, which includes:
| Expenditure Head | Allocated Budget (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| Faculty recruitment and salaries | 270 |
| Infrastructure modernisation | 125 |
| Digital initiatives and ABC integration | 60 |
| Research and innovation funding | 85 |
| Skill development and industry linkage programmes | 40 |
The Governor commended the proactive approach and stressed timely implementation with quality monitoring to achieve NEP goals of equity, excellence, and employability.
Challenges in Implementation
Despite the progress, the Minister acknowledged challenges such as:
- Resistance to FYUP structural changes from certain student unions
- Infrastructure gaps in rural colleges for digital readiness
- Shortage of trained faculty in emerging disciplines
- Need for streamlined regulatory approvals from UGC and AICTE
He assured that strategic consultations are ongoing to address these gaps through policy flexibility, infrastructure grants, and academic collaborations.
Governor’s Guidance on Reforms
Governor Kataria urged the department to:
- Enhance employability-centric skill modules in UG programmes
- Prioritise outcome-based learning assessments
- Strengthen industry linkage for internships and placements
- Promote Assamese language and regional cultural studies alongside multidisciplinary education
- Monitor timely faculty recruitment to avoid academic disruptions
He emphasised that NEP reforms must ensure holistic student development, rooted in Indian knowledge systems yet globally competitive.
Way Forward
The Education Minister outlined upcoming milestones:
- Launch of FYUP in all state universities from 2025-26 session
- Full integration with Academic Bank of Credits by December 2025
- Initiation of blended mode PG programmes by select universities
- Establishment of four new government model degree colleges in underserved districts
- Finalisation of the State Higher Education Digital Transformation Policy 2025
Conclusion
Assam’s higher education reforms under NEP 2020 are poised to create a robust, flexible, and inclusive academic ecosystem. The proactive policy decisions and periodic reviews led by the Governor’s office aim to make Assam a leading state in NEP implementation, fostering quality graduates equipped for research, innovation, and global career pathways.
Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes only. It does not intend to provide policy recommendations or express personal opinions.
