Himachal Pradesh to Launch Four-Year Degree Programs in 29 Government Colleges
HP to introduce 4-year degree programmes in 29 govt colleges
The Times Of India
Image: The Times Of India
The Himachal Pradesh government plans to introduce four-year undergraduate degree programs in 29 government colleges starting from the 2026-27 academic session, transitioning from the traditional three-year system. This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy, aiming to enhance higher education quality.
- 01Twenty-nine government colleges will offer four-year degree programs, including 'Honours' and 'Honours with Research'.
- 02Seven colleges in Kangra district will lead the rollout, with additional institutions in Shimla, Mandi, and Una.
- 03The government will merge nine colleges with low enrollment, providing a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 to affected students.
- 04Three Sanskrit colleges will also offer four-year programs under the new framework.
- 05Himachal Pradesh is the first state to implement the National Education Policy in higher education.
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The Himachal Pradesh government has announced the introduction of four-year undergraduate degree programs in 29 government colleges, set to begin in the 2026-27 academic session. This change marks a shift from the traditional three-year system and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. According to the education secretary, Rakesh Kanwar, 26 colleges with enrollments exceeding 1,500 will offer 'Honours' and 'Honours with Research' degrees, while three colleges with enrollments between 1,000 and 1,500 will provide four-year 'Honours' programs. The districts of Kangra, Shimla, and Mandi will be key hubs for this initiative. Additionally, the government plans to merge nine colleges with fewer than 75 students, including the Kukumseri college in Lahaul-Spiti, which has raised concerns from local MLA Anuradha Rana about accessibility for remote populations. To support students affected by these mergers, the government will provide a monthly stipend of ₹5,000, with an estimated annual cost of ₹1.91 crore. The NEP aims to transform higher education in India by promoting multidisciplinary institutions and enhancing teaching quality.
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The introduction of four-year degree programs aims to improve the quality of higher education in Himachal Pradesh, while the college mergers and stipends address accessibility issues for students in remote areas.
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