Cotton University in Guwahati has implemented the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introducing a new academic structure that gives students multiple exit and progression options while prompting debate over changes to postgraduate courses. The shift, announced by university sources and reported to GPlus, is presented as a move to align the institution with NEP guidelines and to streamline higher education pathways.
Under the revised FYUGP, students may exit with a recognised qualification at several stages: a certificate after one year, a diploma after two years, a conventional three-year bachelor’s degree, or a four-year Honours/Research degree on completion of the final year. The model is intended to provide flexibility for students who wish to enter the workforce earlier or to continue to higher studies.
The introduction of the four-year programme has also spurred concern among students and other stakeholders because it coincides with changes to postgraduate offerings. In some disciplines the university is reducing or discontinuing the traditional two-year master’s programme, a move that has raised questions about continuity, access and capacity for postgraduate study.
Speaking to GPlus, Cotton University Students’ Union General Secretary Kritimoy Kashyap said the changes follow NEP 2020 recommendations and highlighted advantages of the four-year degree, including immediate eligibility to apply for the National Eligibility Test (NET) and State Eligibility Test (SLET) after graduation. He also noted that students who complete the four-year course can pursue further study through a one-year master’s programme.
A university official told GPlus that restructuring the master’s programmes is primarily to “align with the guidelines of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020,” and that infrastructure limitations were also a factor. The official added that maintaining both the old and new academic structures simultaneously would be challenging, which informed the decision to reduce the conventional master’s format in some areas.
The transition at Cotton University reflects a broader reworking of higher education across the state as institutions adapt to NEP 2020 reforms, balancing new academic frameworks and infrastructure realities while students and faculty continue discussions over the long-term impact on postgraduate study and career pathways.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/guwahati/cotton-universitys-four-year-degree-programme-under-nep-sparks-debate-over-masters-course-changes
Category: Guwahati
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Publish Date: 2026-06-08 18:18:00
