UGC Releases Final Report of National Credit Framework: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released the final report of the National Credit Framework (NCrF), a credit framework comprising elementary, school, vocational education, and training. The NCrF is based on an integrating approach across the education and skilling frameworks, enabling the education and skilling ecosystem to implement one single-credit-based framework in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Who Formulated the NCrF?
A high-level committee (HLC) constituted by the Government of India has formulated the NCrF. The report on NCrF was jointly developed by members from various examination authorities, including the UGC, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT), Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) & Department of Higher Education (DOHE), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), and Directorate General of Training (DGT).
What is a Credit Mechanism?
Currently, there is no established credit mechanism for regular school education in India. However, under the open schooling system, the NIOS follows a credit mechanism where each subject is assigned 240 hours for self-study, and a total of 5 subjects are required for the secondary and senior secondary level, which makes it 1200 hours with 40 credits in one year. One credit is equal to 30 hours of total study, including each subject of 8 credits.
Under the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) by UGC, the requirement for awarding a diploma, degree, or certificate is specified in terms of the number of credits to be earned by the students. The CBCS provides flexibility in designing the curriculum and assigning credits based on the course content and learning hours. It also provides a system where students can take courses of their choice, learn at their own pace, acquire more than the required credits, and adopt an interdisciplinary approach to learning.
Break-up of Credits
The scheme on Skill Assessment Matrix for Vocational Advancement of Youth (SAMVAY) is a framework for skill-based vocational programs launched by the MHRD. The break-up of credits with respect to general education is given in the table below:
- Theory – 1 Credit = 15 hours
- Practical – 1 Credit = 30 hours
- Experiential learning (including relevant experience and professional levels acquired) – 1 Credit = 40-45 hours
NCrF Credit Levels
In order to align with international best practices, the NCrF has proposed that the maximum levels within the framework shall uniformly be up to level 8.
UGC Releases Final Report of National Credit Framework
Note: The National Credit Framework is a significant step towards integrating vocational and general education to enable increased flexibility and mobility in education. The NCrF will provide a credit-based framework that will align with the NEP 2020 and enable students to take courses of their choice, learn at their own pace, and adopt an interdisciplinary approach to learning. The NCrF is a comprehensive credit framework that will cover elementary, school, vocational education and training, and will have a uniform credit level of up to level 8.