Latest news with #MJagadeshKumar
India Today
3 days ago
- General
- India Today
CUET vs Class 12 marks: Are board scores losing their value? Experts explain
It's a question thousands of students and parents are asking this admission season: with CUET now being the main route into India's top central universities, do Class 12 board marks even matter anymore?The then UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar had also announced back in December 2024 that students would be able to opt for subjects in CUET which they didn't even have in Class 12. He had said this decision had been taken in order to 'cross the strict disciplinary boundaries in higher education'.advertisementHowever, in April, Delhi University noted that while Class 12 results will not impact the DU admissions conducted through CUET, except for pass marks requirement in the exam, students must take the CUET exam in the same subjects they studied in Class 12. So, while CUET has certainly changed the game, experts say it would be a mistake to write off board exams just OBSOLETE, JUST REPOSITIONED'The introduction of CUET has certainly shifted the spotlight from Class 12 board exams,' says Avnee Khosla, Vice President and Director of Admissions at Shoolini University. 'But it would be both a pedagogical misstep and an oversimplification to consider Class XII board marks obsolete.'She's not alone in this may now be the gateway for most central universities, but Class 12 marks continue to play a big role in determining eligibility, breaking tie situations, and even deciding scholarships and admissions in private or state-run no, Class 12 marks aren't dead -- they've just moved to a different place in the admissions Shekhar, Senior Director of Admissions and Outreach at Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, puts it clearly: 'The relevancy of Class 12 marks has not become obsolete, it has merely been redefined.' STILL CRUCIAL FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TIE-BREAKERSFor most CUET-participating universities, students must still meet a minimum Class 12 percentage to be considered. That's the baseline -- even a stellar CUET score won't help if you're not eligible to apply.'Students could still be rejected for the university or course if their Class 12 scores don't fit the minimum requirement,' says Kanupriya there's the tie-breaker angle. What happens when two students get the same CUET score? Often, it's the Class 12 marks that decide who gets the seat.'Class 12 marks become the decisive tie-breaking factor for final selection, particularly in competitive courses with many applicants,' explains Enid Verghese Jacob, Deputy Director at Hindustan Institute of Technology and COLLEGES AND STATES STILL DEPEND ON BOARD MARKSadvertisementNot every college has jumped on the CUET bandwagon. Several private universities -- and entire state-level systems -- still follow traditional admission methods. In these cases, board exam results carry far more weight.'Private universities often give greater weightage to Class 12 performance,' Enid Verghese Jacob notes. 'Additionally, a number of states have retained their traditional admission methodologies in lieu of adopting CUET.'So, if you're someone considering options beyond central universities, strong board marks open more doors than you MARKS HELP MORE THAN JUST ADMISSIONSWhat many students miss is how their Class 12 performance can come back into play later -- even after they're admitted.'These scores continue to function as indicators of a student's academic consistency, work ethic, and domain competence,' says Avnee Khosla. 'They guide decisions on institutional cut-offs, merit scholarships, programme-specific eligibility, and even postgraduate admissions in India and abroad.'Vishal Khurma, CEO of Woxsen University, echoes this sentiment. 'CUET can assess aptitude, but it cannot replace the depth of learning acquired in senior school,' he says. 'It's important that we continue to value a strong academic foundation.' advertisementBOARD STUDY = CUET PREPHere's another twist: students often think preparing for CUET and board exams are two different worlds. But in reality, they overlap much more than they domain-specific sections are based directly on the Class 12 NCERT syllabus. So, doing well in boards actually gives you a head-start in CUET.'Strong fundamentals built in Class 12 are invaluable for success in CUET,' says Avnee Khosla. Kanupriya Shekhar adds, 'Class 12 acts as the base that helps the student develop the necessary skills and knowledge to dominate in their CUET scores.'The time gap between boards and CUET is also just about 1.5 to 2 months -- which means students must have a solid understanding of their subjects before they even start preparing full-time for REAL RISK: UNDERMINING CLASSROOM LEARNINGIf the perception grows that board exams are no longer important, it could have serious side effects. Experts warn that this could lead to even more dependence on coaching, reduced focus on school learning, and a decline in writing and reasoning skills.'Reducing the perceived value of board examinations will undermine classroom learning, writing skills, and year-round academic discipline,' says Avnee Khosla. 'It will also fuel a hyper-coaching culture.' advertisementA SMARTER APPROACH: DON'T CHOOSE ONE OVER THE OTHERSo, what should students do?The answer is simple: don't treat board exams and CUET as two different paths. Prepare for both – smartly.'Students should not adopt a dismissive attitude toward board exams despite CUET's prominence,' says Enid Verghese Jacob. 'Viewing them as complementary to CUET preparation rather than separate entities provides maximum admission opportunities.'Kanupriya Shekhar agrees: 'Don't treat board preparation and CUET preparation as two separate tracks. Most of the syllabus overlaps. What's needed is a smart, integrated approach that builds deep understanding instead of rote learning.'With the right plan, students can balance both. They can use board prep as a springboard into CUET, and come out stronger at the end of 12 MARKS STILL MATTER, JUST IN A DIFFERENT WAYCUET may be the biggest headline in college admissions today, but Class 12 board marks still have their place -- in eligibility, in merit lists, in scholarships, and even as Vishal Khurma sums up, 'While CUET may have shifted the weightage in the admissions process, Class 12 is far from irrelevant. The knowledge and academic discipline built during these years form the bedrock on which higher education rests.'So to all students wondering if they can ditch the board exam grind -- the answer is no. It's still very much part of the a burden, not a side quest, but a solid stepping stone.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Mumbai University to launch skill-integrated UG courses from next year
In a major academic shift aimed at boosting student employability, Mumbai University (MU) is likely to roll out skill-integrated undergraduate programs — BA, and — from the next academic year. The move is aligned with University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines that advocate industry-oriented learning to address sector-specific skill gaps. As per UGC guidelines in this regard, 50 percent of the total credits in these degree programs will be allotted to core academic subjects, while the remaining 50 percent will be dedicated to short-term, skill-based courses. These industry-aligned modules are intended to train students in fields such as real estate, insurance, and marketing — areas where dedicated academic training is currently lacking. 'There are several emerging industries with growing demand for trained manpower, but no corresponding courses in higher education,' said M Jagadesh Kumar, former UGC Chairperson, speaking in Mumbai on Saturday. 'The UGC has formed a committee to identify such gaps. With the support of industry partners, we aim to create hybrid-mode short-term courses to offer credits to students. Universities too are encouraged to create such courses meeting local industry requirements.' MU officials confirmed that groundwork laid to begin offering these revamped programs from the 2025-26 academic year onwards. The shift is expected to mark a significant overhaul of the traditional undergraduate education structure. Additionally, universities are encouraged to offer a new model combining academics and hands-on industry experience. Under this, students will spend two years on campus and two years apprenticing with industry partners. 'For instance, a BA Journalism student will study theory for two years and work in a media house for the next two, with the industry also involved in their evaluation,' Kumar explained. He emphasised that such students will have an edge over others when they enter the job market. 'They will already have an understanding of the industry with their experience of two years,' he said. Kumar was in the city for the western zone conference of VIKAS 2025 — a national initiative promoting industry-academia collaboration as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Representatives of various universities and affiliated colleges in Maharashtra were present to attend this conference.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
MU's traditional BA, BSc, BCom to get ‘skills edge'
Mumbai: Skill-integrated BA, B Com, and B Sc courses are likely to be rolled out by Mumbai University from the next academic year, 2026-27. With interest in traditional courses in the city declining, as seen in this year's degree college admission cut-offs, skill-integrated courses may offer a meaningful shift. The skill-integrated courses, a scheme announced by University Grants Commission (UGC), will allow students to get theoretical education of the core subject for 50% of their total credits, and the remaining 50% can be obtained from multidisciplinary studies. The university plans to launch these programmes in collaboration with Maharashtra Skill Development Society, a senior university official said. UGC's former chairman, M Jagadesh Kumar, who was at Mumbai University for a conference on 'Vikas 2025' (Venturing into Industry Knowledge, Apprenticeship and Skilling), said that of the 4.5 crore students pursuing higher education in the country, 70% are enrolled in BA, BCom, and B Sc, and that it is a challenge to empower them in the competitive era. "In the skill-integrated courses, students will complete the 50% credits in the core subject, be it BA in history or anthropology, and the remaining 50% credits can be earned through different skills – 10% in hospitality, 10% in machine learning, and so on. These skill-oriented courses can either be designed by the universities or they can allow students to complete it on platforms such as Swayam. At the end of their four-year programme, the skilled workforce will be readily absorbed by industries," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Device Made My Power Bill Drop Overnight elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo UGC set up an expert panel, which is meeting companies from different sectors, to design industry-specific courses. For instance, an insurance company will help set up a course in insurance, or a real estate firm can help design a course in their sector. These courses will be uploaded on the Swayam portal, said Kumar. Higher education minister Chandrakant Patil said the state govt is taking initiatives to restructure courses as per industry needs, focusing on skill development knowledge. About 500 dignitaries from Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat attended the conference. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
