West Bengal government implements a 4-year undergraduate honors program commencement for the current academic year.

The West Bengal government has announced plans to introduce a four-year Undergraduate (UG) Honors course in all government and state-aided higher educational institutions from the academic year 2023-2024. This decision, made after consultations with stakeholders and based on the recommendation of a state-appointed expert panel, aims to align the state's educational system with the National Education Policy, 2020.

The expert committee, named the "Expert Committee for the Innovation of Higher Education Programs," recommended the implementation of the four-year UG course from the academic year 2023-2024 in all government/aided/sponsored higher educational institutions in the state. The new UG honors course will replace the existing three-year course.

The four-year UG course will be in accordance with the UGC national curriculum and credit framework for UG level programs. Degrees awarded under this new system will follow this national framework, ensuring parity with other educational institutions across the country.

State Education Minister Bratya Basu has scheduled a meeting with the chief minister to discuss the introduction of the four-year UG course in detail. Meanwhile, several college authorities and teacher associations have expressed concern over the delay in issuance of a notification regarding the change in the duration of the honors course.

Calcutta University Pro-Vice Chancellor Asis Chatterjee expects to receive the notification regarding the change in the honors course duration soon. Scottish Church College Principal Madhumanjari Mandal is awaiting a communique from the CU authorities before starting the admission process for the new honors course.

It is worth noting that the proposed centralised online admission portal will not be in force this year, and each college will have its own online admission system. The implementation will be through optimum utilization of existing resources or self-mobilization of additional resources, pending receipt of additional financial assistance.

The Plus-2 exam results for the West Bengal Board have been declared. As the academic year 2023-2024 approaches, students and educational institutions are eagerly awaiting the formal notification regarding the change in the UG honors course duration. The introduction of the four-year UG course is set to bring about significant changes in the higher education landscape of West Bengal.

West Bengal government implements a 4-year undergraduate honors program commencement for the current academic year.