Colleges in J&K grapple with low enrollment in 4-year undergraduate programme

Srinagar, Oct 10: The much-hyped Four Year Undergraduate (FYUG) programme introduced by the J&K Higher Education Department (HED) is witnessing a lukewarm response from college students, creating a significant challenge for the department as the first batch becomes eligible for the 4th year of the course.

The FYUG programme, a key component of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is a flexible, multidisciplinary higher education model that offers multiple entry and exit points. Students can earn certificates after one year, diplomas after two, a bachelor’s degree after three, and an honours or honours with research degree after four years.

The first batch of FYUG students enrolled in 2022 across degree colleges in J&K completed their three-year programme in 2025, making them eligible to enter the 4th year. However, only a small number of students have opted for the honours or honours with research course, creating logistical and academic challenges for colleges.

To accommodate the few students who have chosen the 4th year, colleges are merging them with other institutions, causing inconvenience and dislocation for many.

“Even if the number of students opting for the 4th year is low, the department or college should find a viable solution to protect our academic careers. If a minimum class size was required, it should have been communicated at the time of admission, so we could have applied directly for PG courses,” said Tufail Ahmad, a student from Srinagar.

Education Minister Sakina Itoo told Greater Kashmir that the issue would be discussed with the Director of Colleges J&K. “We will assess how many students are being dislocated and find a way to address it,” she said.

Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) HED, Shantmanu, explained that colleges require a minimum number of students to run the 4th year. “It will not be possible to run a class without having a minimum number of students. Arranging academic resources for very small classes is financially and logistically difficult,” he said.

He advised affected students to opt for a subject with the required number of students if they wish to continue in the same college. “This year, some dislocation is unavoidable. The issue was anticipated in the first year, and from next year, measures will be in place to prevent such problems,” he added.

“We have to arrange academic arrangements for just three to four students in a class, which will be difficult,” he said.

On the closure of admissions in Universities, Shantmanu said the students facing the issue should take a subject that has the required number of students for the 4th year.

“If you want to study in the same college, then you (students) will have to opt for the 4th course in any other relevant subject having the required number of students in the same college,” he said.

Shantmanu, however, acknowledged that students must be having issues of dislocation while admission in Universities has already closed.

“It (the problem) was supposed to happen in the first year, but from the next year, everyone will be alert. This time, there is an issue. But we have to face it,” he said.