Summary
At least 50 per cent credit for the degree needs to be achieved from technical and non-technical training while the remaining can come from other courses and subjects like Economics, English, Political Science, Mathematics etc
Students who clear all three years with all the mandatory subjects will be awarded a Bachelor’s degree
In a bid to help the Agniveers -- the beneficiaries under the Union Government's Agnipath scheme -- build a good career and with the prime motive of making them job-ready, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will launch a skill-based bachelor’s degree programme. This programme will include BA-level degree courses for the enhancement of their skills and related knowledge to serve the defence forces, according to an IGNOU communication.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) recently announced the launch of a skill-based, BA degree course for the young aspirants of the Agnipath scheme under which candidates will get to serve the armed forces for four years. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has passed this scheme for education at the bachelor’s level.
The programme will describe and recognize various types of defense training received by the young enthusiasts to serve the country through their valor and skills. During their defense establishments, appropriate training will be provided by the defense training centres and these will be taught in this bachelor’s BA degree programme.
The Navy, Air Force, and Army are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the course. The course has already been designed by IGNOU and the same is aligned with the norms of the UGC and National Credit Framework (NCF), NSQF (National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) as mandated under the National Education Policy of 2020.
According to the requirements of this programme, at least 50 per cent credit for the graduate degree needs to be achieved from various types of technical and non-technical training while the remaining will come from some other courses and subjects like Economics, English, Political Science, Mathematics, Public Administration, Tourism, Vocational Studies, Agriculture, etc. The ability enhancement skills will also be provided to the students in English and Environmental Studies.
As per the rules, the degree course has multiple existing points for the convenience of the candidates. Students who take up the programme, after the successful completion of the first year, will be given an undergraduate (UG) certificate. Those candidates who complete at least two years of the four-year programme and then leave the course, will be provided a UG diploma. Students who clear all three years with all the mandatory subjects will be awarded a bachelor’s degree.
According to Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, UGC chairman, IGNOU and UGC are working together for providing complete recognition to the course made for the Agniveers, based on their skills achieved for the defense training. He said that after the successful implementation of the digital university, Agniveers will get appropriate opportunity to do various types of courses in a number of emerging areas that will make them future-ready.
The complete framework of the course has been recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and National Council for Vocational Educational and Training (NCVET). The university will be awarding the final degree or diploma. This degree will be valid in the country and abroad for various types of job opportunities and educational purposes for these candidates.
According to Kumar, the UGC is going to plan how to map the skill training into qualifications so that they can acquire higher qualifications or be ready for new job opportunities.
Last updated on 18 Jun 2022
