Amid widespread protest from a section of academicians, students and political parties against the implementation of controversial Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in Central Universities, the Vice Chancellors of majority of the universities have agreed to introduce CBCS from ensuing academic session.Following the day long deliberations on the issue by V-Cs in the Capital, it was decided that the CBCS would be rolled out by all Central Universities from the coming academic session. The meeting was chaired by Higher Education Secretary V S Oberoi in the absence of HRD Minister Smriti Irani. Visva Bharti Vice Chancellor Sushanta Dattagupta, who was served a show-cause notice last week, stayed away from the meeting.
While all the universities including Delhi University “unanimously” agreed to its roll out, a few sought one more year, but eventually agreed to embrace it from the coming academic session. HRD Ministry sources said BHU is planning to implement it in phases in different departments.“All the V-Cs assured that their preparations are complete and they will be starting the CBCS this academic session,” said a HRD Ministry statement after the meeting. It added that out of 39 Central Universities, 37 have introduced CBCS at the post-graduate level. It said that while 13 new Central Universities do not have under graduate programmes, 18 have already introduced the CBCS at this level.
The UGC has developed syllabi on 103 subjects, 85 of which are main line courses and 18 are specialised courses, giving 30 per cent choice to universities to make amendments in the courses. The next meeting of the V-Cs is slated in October before the President (the Visitor) reviews the institutes performance in November.Earlier in the day students and teachers protested against implementation of the CBCS from the ensuing session. Indian Youth Congress, Nation Students Union of India (NSUI) and teachers’ body Academics for Action and Development organised a joint protest at Jantar Mantar. Delhi University Teachers’ Association and Federation of Central Universities’ Teachers’ Associations also staged a protest outside Vigyan Bhawan.