Catalyst for International Competence

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

Charting a Bold Course in Higher Education

In a groundbreaking move, Kerala had introduced Four-Year Under Graduate Programme (FYUGP) in the last (2024-2025) academic year, thus becoming the first Indian state to fully implement such a programme. This reform aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and embodies Kerala’s broader aim of evolving into an international education hub. The new system combines academic excellence with social development, allowing students to earn internationally accepted qualifications. FYUGP also eliminates the need to repeat undergraduate studies when pursuing higher education abroad.

Why Shift to Four-Year Model

Globally, most top-ranked universities operate on a four-year undergraduate framework. Recognising this international trend, Kerala decided to revamp its higher education structure. The state government set up three expert commissions to study the current system and propose changes. Drawing on these reports, the FYUGP was designed with two core goals:

• Enabling students for international standard higher education
• Endowing youngsters with employment

Dr. R. Bindu, the Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, remarked, “We hope to make higher education a system in which students will contribute to the growth of the society so that Kerala becomes a knowledge-based economy.

Structure and Features

The FYUGP empowers students with flexibility and ownership of their academic journey. Each student can select a major, alongside minors and electives from a wide range of disciplines. This interdisciplinary model ensures broader learning and greater customisation. The guidelines for students who completed the first year to change their major, transfer colleges or switch universities have been approved. Students who passed all examinations in the first two semesters could apply for inter-university transfer. Students from Universities outside Kerala can also apply to study in Universities of Kerala from the third semester. A key innovation is the compatibility of Kerala’s credit system with global frameworks such as those used in Europe and North America. This allows students to transfer credits easily if they choose to study abroad. Students may exit the programme after three years with a standard degree. However, those continuing into the fourth year have two options:

• Capstone Project Honours Degree – focused on applied learning.
• Research Honours Degree – which can open a direct path to PhD studies.

Another novel feature is the Fast Track (N-1 Model), allowing students to finish the degree in 2.5 to 3 years if they accumulate the required credits early.

Student-Centric Innovations

The restructured programme prioritises flexibility, relevance and global mobility.

• Global Compatibility: The degree framework now mirrors international norms, making transitions to global universities smoother and eliminating course repetition.
• Research Opportunities: The fourth year encourages research and project-based learning, including opportunities at international institutions.
• Skill-Based Curriculum: Internships, real-world project work and employment training are embedded in the curriculum to enhance employability.
• Academic Flexibility: Students can take academic breaks and return later to complete their degrees through the Academic Bank of Credits system.

Notably, Kerala diverges from the NEP model by not encouraging early diploma exits. This ensures that students, especially those from socially and economically backward backgrounds, are less likely to drop out prematurely.

Widespread Implementation and Institutional Support

The FYUGP has been uniformly adopted by all universities under the Higher Education Department, including autonomous and government colleges. Key support mechanisms include:

• Comprehensive teacher training
• Revised syllabi tailored to the new structure
• Establishment of high-standard research centres and laboratories
• Launch of schemes such as the Nava Kerala Post-Doctoral Fellowship and Kairali Research Awards to promote research excellence

Even the University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken interest in Kerala’s model, particularly its Fast Track option, for potential national rollout.

Paving the Way to Proficiency

A model unified academic calendar applicable for all the universities under the Department of Higher Education has been approved. New minor courses which offer more employment potential and flexibility will be started. Kerala’s FYUGP equips students with a strong academic foundation, relevant skills for professional life and opportunities for international exposure. It helps Kerala to become a knowledge-based economy. “Our goal isn’t just to produce graduates,” Dr. R. Bindu emphasised, “but to foster leaders, researchers and innovators who will reshape society.”