GUWAHATI: Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu on Friday, June 19, launched the Guidelines for Operationalisation of the Fourth Year of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) for colleges affiliated to Gauhati University, along with the NEP Ready Reckoner 2026 and an FAQ booklet aimed at helping students and institutions understand the new academic structure.
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The documents were released at Gauhati University in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta, members of the Assam College Principals' Council and other academic officials.
The guidelines lay out the framework for introducing the fourth year of undergraduate studies under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 through two tracks, Honours and Honours with Research. They allow colleges offering major programmes to start the fourth year even if they do not have postgraduate courses.
For the 2026-27 academic session, the university has introduced several transitional provisions, including allowing students with backlogs to enrol in the Honours pathway and easing certain requirements related to research supervision and infrastructure. Students who complete the fourth year and meet eligibility criteria will also be able to pursue direct PhD admission under NEP provisions.
Speaking at the event, Pegu said the guidelines and FAQ booklet would help address confusion surrounding the implementation of the fourth year. He stressed the need for consultation and careful planning while dealing with challenges in the higher education sector.
"Whenever we face any complication, or a crisis, or a confusing matter, we will not react. We will act," Pegu said, adding that the government would respond promptly to issues raised by stakeholders.
The minister also spoke about broader higher education reforms in Assam, including the introduction of industry-designed academic programmes and efforts to regulate self-financed courses in colleges and universities. He said such programmes would either be brought under clear guidelines or discontinued, while ensuring faculty receive sustainable salaries.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta acknowledged that the transition to the fourth year had created operational challenges but said the university viewed them as an opportunity to improve the system.
He said the newly released NEP Ready Reckoner was designed in a simple, pictorial format to help students, teachers and college administrators understand the academic journey under the new framework. Mahanta added that the documents would continue to be refined based on feedback from stakeholders, including teachers' and principals' associations.
The event was attended by university deans, faculty members, college principals, academicians and other officials involved in the implementation of NEP 2020.