Honours or pass graduate, after three years of college, degrees were roughly divided into these two categories until now. But in the new National Education Policy, this provision has not been retained. There, the honours course has become major, and the pass course has become minor.
Meanwhile, except for West Bengal, the old pass course no longer exists anywhere in mainland India. In other states, honours can only be pursued through major courses. In West Bengal, lakhs of students are studying the old pass or minor course only at the University of Calcutta. Will the degrees these students receive be valid at the all-India level and in other states? To address this concern, the University of Calcutta has formed an expert committee.
Last Thursday, there was a meeting of the University of Calcutta's highest governing body, the Syndicate. According to sources, Vice-Chancellor Ashutosh Ghosh himself expressed concerns about this matter. In recent years, students have shown more inclination towards passing courses compared to honours. This is because although the syllabus of this course is equivalent to honours, the pressure is much less. It is possible to obtain a degree and acquire job qualifications. Many colleges are also not strict about class attendance. The university has named this course 'Multi Disciplinary Course' or MDC.
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The fact that this course is being taught only in various universities of West Bengal, even though it doesn't exist in other states or at the central level, is troubling many university authorities. Yet, according to UGC directives, universities across the country must structure their courses in alignment with the New Education Policy.
The University of Calcutta currently awards two types of honours degrees. One after three years. The other will be awarded after four years. Both are being called 'honours'. University authorities have observed that, except for Delhi University, honours degrees are not awarded anywhere in three years. In that case, it is called 'Graduate with One Major'. Only someone who passes after four years will be called an honours graduate. Therefore, if these contradictions cannot be resolved, doubts have arisen about whether students' degrees will be valid, and whether they will face any problems in higher education or employment in the all-India context or in other states.
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According to sources, an expert committee approved by the Syndicate has been formed to solve this problem. It includes experienced individuals like Manas Kabi, Principal of Ashutosh College, and Shiuli Sarkar, Principal of Lady Brabourne College. For now, the future of the old pass course and three-year honours graduate degree depends on this committee.
