Campus Times | Lucknow

In a significant academic reform aimed at making higher education more flexible and future ready, Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University has become the first state university in Uttar Pradesh to introduce both the Accelerated Degree Programme (ADP) and the Extended Degree Programme (EDP). The decisions were approved during the 42nd meeting of the Universitys Academic Council, alongside the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Skill Enhancement Course (SEC), approval of the academic calendar for the 2026–27 session, and clearance for 71 new multidisciplinary courses.

Merit based fast track degree option

Under the newly approved Accelerated Degree Programme (ADP), academically outstanding students will have the opportunity to complete a four year undergraduate programme in just three years by earning additional credits.

To be eligible, students must have secured an SGPA or CGPA of 7.5 or above without any back papers. Admission to the programme will be limited to 10 per cent of seats in each faculty, ensuring that only eligible high performing students can opt for the accelerated pathway.

Extra time for students who need academic flexibility

The Extended Degree Programme (EDP) has been introduced to support students who require additional time to complete their education. Students with an SGPA or CGPA of 6.0 or below, irrespective of whether they have back papers, will be allowed to take a reduced academic workload and complete their degree over a maximum of two additional semesters.

Unlike ADP, there will be no seat limit for EDP. Degrees awarded under both programmes will carry the same academic validity as those completed within the standard duration.

AI to become a skill enhancement course

The Academic Council has also approved the inclusion of Artificial Intelligence as a Skill Enhancement Course for undergraduate and diploma students.

The curriculum has been designed to provide practical exposure to emerging AI technologies. Students will learn the fundamentals of AI along with hands on training in widely used tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek and Perplexity. The course will also cover prompt engineering, machine learning, cybersecurity and AI applications across healthcare, engineering and rehabilitation.

The university believes the programme will equip students with practical digital skills that are increasingly sought after in the job market.

Academic calendar approved for 2026–27

Along with the curriculum reforms, the Academic Council approved the academic calendar for the 2026–27 session, providing a roadmap for the implementation of the new academic initiatives.

The meeting was chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjay Singh, while Registrar Rohit Singh presented the agenda before the Council. Following detailed deliberations, all proposals received unanimous approval. Speaking after the meeting, Prof. Sanjay Singh said the reforms would make higher education more responsive to students varying academic needs.