The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved guidelines for the introduction of short-term skill development courses in higher educational institutes, in line with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The objective is to integrate skilling into higher education, bridging the skill gap and providing practical training. These courses, ranging from 3-6 months, will offer industry-relevant certification and focus on hands-on experience. Eligibility is open to those who have passed the 10+2 exam, and courses will be credit-linked with a range of 12-30 credits. Subjects include AI, machine learning, IoT, data science, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and more. The guidelines emphasize a maximum student intake of 60 per course cohort, a faculty-student ratio of 1:30, and collaboration with industry bodies for credibility and placement opportunities. Institutes are also encouraged to develop plans for employment opportunities and internships for course completers.

Source- Ugc.ac