NEP subject selection creates challenges for postgraduate admissions in Mangalore Varsity

Mangaluru: The National Education Policy (NEP) has created complications for undergraduate students during postgraduate (PG) admissions due to mismatches in subject selection. This issue has arisen as students made choices without considering the possibilities for pursuing PG courses under the NEP framework.

Before NEP, students could choose from three optional (major) subjects during their undergraduate degree, and one of these subjects could be continued for their PG studies. However, post-NEP, students were allowed to choose only two major subjects, with the third subject being left as an elective. Many students, out of personal interest, chose elective subjects unrelated to their core course, leading to confusion when seeking admission to PG programs. Now, they are unable to continue either based on electives or on the core subject, creating a dilemma.

Amid the general concern about a gradual decline in the number of students applying for PG programs, the mismatch between undergraduate subject choices and eligibility for PG courses has exacerbated the problem this year, affecting around 25% of students.

Impact on Departments

Before the implementation of NEP, students could major in three subjects. For example, in the Arts stream, a student could study History, Economics, and Political Science, while in the Science stream, subjects like Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology were common. NEP reduced this to two major subjects, allowing students to pick an additional elective based on their interest. Consequently, some Arts students who chose History and Economics as their majors did not opt for Political Science, leading to a shortage of students in certain departments.

According to education expert Rajshekhar Hebbar, students who studied under the NEP must continue with the same set of subjects for their PG courses to avoid confusion. This problem is especially prominent in Arts and Science streams. Moreover, gaining PG admission in an elective subject is difficult.

The Root of the Problem

Even though students could choose subjects like History, Economics, and Political Science in their undergraduate courses, under NEP, many selected two majors and an unrelated elective. For example, a student studying History and Economics may have taken Chemistry as an elective instead of Political Science. When applying for PG admissions, there is a shortage of students in Political Science, and the student cannot pursue a master’s in this subject. Similarly, the student cannot continue with Chemistry either. This issue has emerged across various disciplines.

“Several PG departments are facing a shortage of students due to the subject choices made under NEP. To address this, universities have relaxed admission rules and extended application deadlines,” said Prof. P.L. Dharma, Vice Chancellor, Mangalore University.

• Translated version of Kannada article by Dinesh Ira