Campus Times | Lucknow 

Lucknow University is set to introduce a second academic pathway in the fourth year of its four-year undergraduate programmes, allowing students to choose between UG Honours and UG Honours with Research. The move is aimed at giving students greater flexibility in shaping their undergraduate education in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the University Grants Commissions Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes (CCFUP).

Under the proposed structure, students who complete the first three years, comprising six semesters, will be able to opt for the fourth-year pathway best suited to their academic interests and future plans.

Two pathways for the fourth year

Students who do not wish to undertake a dissertation or thesis will be able to pursue the UG Honours route. Instead of the 12-credit research component, they will complete advanced coursework in their major subject. This pathway will also enable students with a CGPA below 7.5 to continue into the fourth year and complete the required 160 credits for a four-year undergraduate degree.

The UG Honours with Research option, meanwhile, will continue as the research-oriented track. Students meeting the eligibility requirement of a CGPA of 7.5 or above after six semesters will be able to undertake a 12-credit research project or dissertation under the supervision of a faculty member.

The university sees the dual-track model as an effort to accommodate different academic aspirations. While the Honours route will focus on advanced subject learning, the research pathway will provide students with an opportunity to gain experience in structured undergraduate research.

Seven-member panel to frame implementation guidelines

To translate the decision into a detailed academic framework, the university has constituted a seven-member expert committee headed by Prof. Manuka Khanna. The committee will work on eligibility criteria, academic regulations, the structure of advanced courses and other implementation guidelines.

The detailed framework is expected to be placed before the appropriate statutory bodies of the university for consideration and approval before implementation.

University Vice-Chancellor Prof. J.P. Saini said the initiative was intended to make undergraduate education more flexible and student-centric. He emphasised that students should have the opportunity to pursue either advanced disciplinary learning or research depending on their interests, capabilities and long-term academic goals.

With both pathways operating within the same four-year framework, the university is positioning the reform as a broader expansion of academic choice rather than a change in the basic degree structure. Both routes will lead to a 160-credit four-year undergraduate degree, while the university will continue to strengthen the academic and research infrastructure required for students opting for the research track.

The decision is expected to particularly benefit students who want to continue their undergraduate studies for four years but may not meet the CGPA threshold prescribed for the research pathway, giving them an alternative route to complete a four-year degree with an Honours qualification.