Insights

Students who are finding it hard to pursue a BTech degree at IIT Madras will have a new route to exit with a BSc degree after three years. They must acquire 250 credits out of a 400-credit curriculum if they want to get a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Students from the 2024 batch can opt for this facility as from 2027.

The institute has also planned to use the scheme to benefit senior students from the next academic year.

These students, however, should have attempted the degree at least once before pursuing the degree of BSc.

"We also plan to introduce a BSc degree with specialization. The number of core credits, as specified by the departments, will determine the specialization," professor Prathap Haridoss, dean (academic courses) of IIT Madras, told TOI.

"This BSc degree will enable the students to pursue higher education, such as MBA, or sit for the civil service. People who exit the program also join us later online in BS programs," he further added.

Those who enrolled in an institution without any interest in the field also find it hard to finish their degree. Others also quit their course to pursue their careers as entrepreneurs.

“This will enable these students to get a degree,” he added.

Multiple entry and exit into the degree programs is one of the most important elements brought by the National Education Policy (NEP). IIT Madras has brought some changes into the educational system by reducing the minimum credit needs per semester by 10%.

“A student can readily accumulate 66 credits in a semester. However, we have subsequently reduced the minimum credit requirements for a semester to 50 credits.”

"Students with higher CGPA are allowed to take more credits per semester," Haridoss stated. Additionally, IIT Madras constituted up to 40% of the courses offered in the BTech degree as electives, which allows the students to choose the subjects of their preference. The institution also introduced a dual degree and a minor degree to give the students a wide selection of choices.

Students who are finding it hard to pursue a BTech degree at IIT Madras will have a new route to exit with a BSc degree after three years. They must acquire 250 credits out of a 400-credit curriculum if they want to get a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Students from the 2024 batch can opt for this facility as from 2027.

The institute has also planned to use the scheme to benefit senior students from the next academic year.

These students, however, should have attempted the degree at least once before pursuing the degree of BSc.

"We also plan to introduce a BSc degree with specialization. The number of core credits, as specified by the departments, will determine the specialization," professor Prathap Haridoss, dean (academic courses) of IIT Madras, told TOI.

"This BSc degree will enable the students to pursue higher education, such as MBA, or sit for the civil service. People who exit the program also join us later online in BS programs," he further added.

Those who enrolled in an institution without any interest in the field also find it hard to finish their degree. Others also quit their course to pursue their careers as entrepreneurs.

“This will enable these students to get a degree,” he added.

Multiple entry and exit into the degree programs is one of the most important elements brought by the National Education Policy (NEP). IIT Madras has brought some changes into the educational system by reducing the minimum credit needs per semester by 10%.

“A student can readily accumulate 66 credits in a semester. However, we have subsequently reduced the minimum credit requirements for a semester to 50 credits.”

"Students with higher CGPA are allowed to take more credits per semester," Haridoss stated. Additionally, IIT Madras constituted up to 40% of the courses offered in the BTech degree as electives, which allows the students to choose the subjects of their preference. The institution also introduced a dual degree and a minor degree to give the students a wide selection of choices.

India's higher education is undergoing a seismic transformation with the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill 2025 proposing to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), AICTE and NCTE with a single regulator. Introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament, this NEP 2020 aligned reform is aimed at doing away with overlapping rules, expediting approvals, bringing IITs and IIMs under a single roof for the first time - triggering debates over quality, centralization, and student access.

What is VBSA? 

Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) 2025 is a unified regulatory body the government of India is considering to implement in place UGC, AICTE and NCTE. 

Established in 1956 under Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the UGC coordinated the standards of universities for decades. Now, VBSA comes out as the highest umbrella commission with 12 members presiding over three specialised councils:

• Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad (Regulatory Council): Regulation and Enforcement. 
• Viksit Bharat Shiksha Gunvatta Parishad (Accreditation Council): Quality ranking and recognition. 
• Viksit Bharat Shiksha Manak Parishad (Standards Council): Curriculum and Academic Standard

Each council may have up to 14 members, including representatives of the states and experts on the subject matter.  Funding shifts from UGC grants to direct Ministry channels, ending dual grant-regulation roles. First, IITs, IIMS and all higher education institutions (central, state, private, open universities) will work on the same standards.

Tough Penalties: ₹2 Crore Fines for Fake Colleges

VBSA introduces strict enforcement:

Key note: President appoints chairpersons (3-5 year terms, extendable). The Centre can dissolve councils if needed, targeting substandard institutes issuing fake degrees that plague students annually.

Why Now? 

Because NEP 2020 is fixing the flaws of UGC’s multiple regulator mess. 

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan pointed out overlaps between UGC, AICTE and NCTE which were leading to delays and confusion. 

• Single-window clearances for speedy decisions
• Global alignment with foreign university norms
• Focus on accreditation outcomes  rather than inputs

Critics caution that over-centralization hurts state universities serving EWS/SC/ST students (60%+ reserved seats). ​Its proponents argue that the bill improves India's race towards Class Universities amid 1,600+ HEIs with 4 crore annual enrollments.

What does this mean for Indian Students?

In the case of VBSA, transparency in selecting colleges is ensured by obligatory accreditation, and thereby Class 12 passouts are saved from the scam of fake degrees as well as simplifying credit transfers. Colleges with single-window admission accelerate the admissions but may charge higher fees to colleges that are privately owned- watch out of scholarships and quotas. Rural/ EWS students gain in the evenness of online learning standards; state universities lose the flexibility.​ 

Status of Bill & Next Steps 

The bill was proposed on December 15, 2025 and awaits debate during the Winter Session. Track it through pib.gov.in/education.gov.in. In case it is approved, it will be rolled out in 2026-27 and will impact college admissions, fees, and rankings in general. Searches such as “VBSA Bill 2025 explained” are mushrooming proving that the talks are real and misunderstanding might surface which is why it is always better to trust the news shared on the official PIB portal. Lastly, students and parents, stay  prepared to make new changed decisions in colleges in the future.

Visakhapatnam is turning out to be a ‘Gateway to the East’, with heavy investments pouring in, including a proposed $15 billion Google data centre, according to GMR Group Chairman GM Rao.

He delivered this speech at an Andhra University Alumni Association event called Waves 2025, which took place during the university’s centenary celebrations in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

GM credited the expansion of the city to the far-sighted governance of AP AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu and state IT Minister Nara Lokesh, in addition to big investments by Google, Reliance, Meta, and the construction of the GMR Group’s Bhogapuram International Airport.

"However, this is an opportunity for Andhra University to grow in the academic, research, and innovation sectors," he added. GM Rao appealed to the alumni network to assist students, help innovative projects and start-ups, and in this way, contribute towards growing the institution.

Addressing an eager audience in the auditorium, the chief guest Sudha Murty, a member of the Rajya Sabha, founder chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, and Murty Trust chairperson, exhorted students to have learning, perseverance, and purpose in their lives. "Learn continually. You can never become old if you keep learning. Your learning will make you youthful, nimble, and joyful. Your perseverance will be your constant companion, which will never deceive you," she added, relaying her own experiences in her life.

Comparing students to sugar cane purified through discipline and examinations, she described Andhra University as a ‘temple of learning’:   "The students are like sugar cane which is purified in this ‘temple of learning.’ The teachers and lecturers in this temple have a deep transforming role since they have not come to this temple in order to reach their own goal but to transform the goal of their students.”

 She emphasized the role of teachers in this transforming process and remembered the efforts of Andhra University founders such as Kattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy and Dr Sarvepalli

JEE Main 2026 is just about a month away now. This exam stands as the biggest stepping stone for getting into IITs and top engineering colleges across India. Do not push yourself to start new topics, instead focus on mastering what you've already covered. The most important thing to do is spotting your weak spots, and fixing them fast. A smart one-month plan can make all the difference in your JEE Mains final rank and score.

What to Do in JEE Main Last Month Prep?

Lakhs of students nationwide are juggling board exams alongside JEE Mains prep. Balancing both feels tough, but experts agree it's doable with the right schedule. In these final weeks, invest your time in revision, mock tests, and mastering time management because these will help you reach your targeted rank. 

JEE Mains Revision is Essential 

In the final month, omit heavy new syllabus: instead, divide your prep into three easy bits:

1. Topics of high-weightage first: The past trends indicate that calculus prevailed over Maths, modern physics in Physics as well as organic and inorganic in Chemistry. These should be given the top priorities to receive the highest returns.
2. Brief notes and formula cards: Put away heavy books; rely on your personal notes, formulas, and concept maps to memorise quickly.
3. Extra push for Chemistry: This section can boost your score big time with the right approach. Revise NCERT line-by-line, especially inorganic and organic parts.

Mock Tests and Analysis are MUST

Mocks will be your lead-star in your last-month drive.

• Take a full-length test every other day, at the exact time your actual exam slot falls in, because this trains your body and mind for the real exam.
• Do not just take the test, give at least two hours to the analysis of each of them. You need to know why and how you made mistakes or did not take questions.
• Maintain a list of “weak topics” or “error prone areas” and tricky questions, it'll help you a lot in last week's quick revisions. 

Master Time Management/Speed

• JEE entrance test does not only test your knowledge, but it also tests your speed and intellect in using it.
• When doing mocks, track time sinks where you are spending unnecessary time, this is your best fix point.
• Attempt those questions first which you are certain about; wasting time in order to struggle with the difficult questions is not a good choice.
• If it is in offline mode, practice how to fill OMR sheets so that you do not mess up last minute.

Don't Ignore Health and Mindset

JEE aspirants tend to burn out, making their body give up. This leads to a lesser percentage because with a tired brain and body one’s full potential stays veiled. To avoid this, focus on health and mindset. Do these easy things: 

1. Sleep  for at least 6 hours daily
2. Wake up on time, and exercise a little 
3. Eat proper food; no junk, no oil-based snack 
4. Follow a proper timetable 

JEE Mains is a popular and challenging test, but it is important to trust yourself instead of doubting, especially when you have put all your efforts into preparing. With the right revision strategy, time management skills, and better body & mind, you can crack the exam. 

When Ananya’s Class 5 report came home, her parents skimmed past the Cambridge Checkpoint section. No grades. No ranks. No obvious pass or fail. “It’s not a board exam,” they told her. “Don’t worry too much.” Three years later, when Ananya entered the IGCSE curriculum, the worry arrived anyway, struggling with application-based questions, unfamiliar exam patterns, and confidence dips that seemed to appear overnight.

Education experts say this story is more common than parents realise. Cambridge Checkpoint assessments in Classes 5 and 8 are often treated as optional milestones, but in reality, they are designed to act like early warning systems, quietly showing where a child is thriving and where support is needed, long before academic pressure peaks.

Not a Test, but a Mirror

Unlike traditional exams, Cambridge Checkpoints don’t exist to label students as toppers or underperformers. Instead, they work more like a mirror. They reflect how well a student understands concepts in English, Mathematics, and Science, and how confidently they can apply that knowledge.

A teacher from a Cambridge school in Bengaluru recalls a Class 8 student who consistently scored well in internal exams but struggled in Checkpoints. “The report showed gaps in reasoning, not memory,” she explains. “We corrected it early. By the time he reached IGCSE, he was far more confident.”

That early course correction is exactly what Checkpoints are meant for.

Small Interventions, Big Impact

For many families, the real value of Checkpoints becomes clear only in hindsight. A Mumbai parent shares how her son’s Class 5 Checkpoint report flagged weak comprehension skills—something school tests had missed. “We worked on it slowly, without pressure. By Class 8, the improvement was obvious,” she says. “Had we ignored it, the struggle would have shown up much later.”

Experts often compare Checkpoints to routine health check-ups. Skipping them doesn’t cause immediate harm—but problems left unnoticed tend to grow.

A Smoother Road to Senior Classes

As India sees a steady rise in Cambridge schools, more students are stepping into international curricula that demand critical thinking rather than rote answers. Checkpoints help make that transition smoother. Students become familiar with question styles, time management, and analytical thinking early on, so senior secondary exams don’t feel like a sudden shock.

In the words of one education counsellor, “Students who take Checkpoints seriously rarely panic later. They’ve already seen the road ahead.”

Where Parents Make the Difference

The assessments themselves carry no pass-or-fail pressure. What makes the difference is how adults respond. Parents who sit down with the report, talk through strengths and weaknesses, and work with schools to address gaps often see calmer, more confident learners emerge over time.

Ignoring Checkpoints may feel harmless in the moment. But as many parents discover later, those “low-stakes” exams are often the safest place to stumble, learn, and grow—before the stakes get real.