As part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), hybrid courses across higher education institutes for normal degree programmes may soon receive an official green light from the government.

According to sources, this formal permission will also allow normal degrees to be provided on a mixed module, which would include both online and physical sessions.

For students, this may be advantageous because their living expenditures on campus/hostel would be limited to the physical lectures alone.

A government official stated that a mixed module might account for up to 40% of a degree programme at some universities. This would make it easier for students from all around the country to attend.

He explained further that the Ministry of Education has given a green light to this arrangement. Formal rules and guidelines are likely to be released in the next 2-3 months.

Institutes are now obliged to get authorization for each hybrid course. Institutes will have the freedom to offer such courses to all students once the government issues an official clearance.

While the expenses for an undergraduate degree programme (BA) typically vary from Rs 55,000 to Rs 1 lakh for a three-year degree, the hostel fees typically range from Rs 17,000 to Rs 20,000 per year.

If a student can complete 40% of a degree online, he/she will save money on living expenses and meals in hostels.

The National Education Policy was approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet in July 2020. The Ministry of Human Resource Development was renamed the Ministry of Education as a result.

NEP 2020 proposes significant reform to India’s education system, including ideas for technology-led learning as well as flexible entrance and exit mechanisms.