Students will be able to get an undergraduate (UG) 'honours' degree only after completing four years instead of three, according to new draft norms prepared by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The draft — 'curriculum and credit framework for four-year undergraduate programmes' prepared in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) — is likely to be notified on Monday, December 12, as stated in a report by PTI. 

"Students will be able to get a UG degree in three years on completion of 120 credits (measured through the number of academic hours) and a UG honours degree in four years on completion of 160 credits. If they wish to go for a research specialisation, they will have to undertake a research project in their four-year course. This will get them an Honours degree with research specialisation," the draft read, as per PTI.

"Students who have already enrolled and are pursuing a three-year UG programme as per the existing Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) are eligible to pursue a Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP). The university may provide bridge courses (including online) to enable them to transition to the extended programme," it added.