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The four-year UG degree under NEP 2020, explained
5 min read · Updated 9 Nov 2026
The National Education Policy 2020 introduced a flexible four-year undergraduate programme. Many universities have adopted it; others still run three-year degrees. Here's how the new structure works.
Exit at any year
| Leave after | You get | Typical credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | UG Certificate | ~40 |
| 2 years | UG Diploma | ~80 |
| 3 years | Bachelor's degree | ~120 |
| 4 years | Bachelor's (Honours) or Honours with Research | ~160 |
Early exits usually need some extra vocational credits, and you can return later to continue — subject to the university's rules.
Honours vs Honours with Research
In the fourth year, students who meet the university's CGPA threshold can take the research track, which includes a research project or dissertation. Others complete Honours with advanced coursework.
The Academic Bank of Credits
Credits you earn are stored in the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), linked to your APAAR ID. This is what makes exits, re-entry and moving between institutions possible.
What it means for a master's and PhD
- After a four-year degree, some universities offer a one-year master's; after a three-year degree, it stays two years.
- Under UGC's PhD regulations, a four-year degree with the required CGPA can make you eligible for a PhD directly.
Your grades still work the same way
Each semester gives an SGPA and the running total a CGPA on the 10-point scale — the research-track cut-off is a CGPA, so it's worth tracking from year one.
In short
- Certificate, diploma, degree or Honours — depending on when you exit.
- Credits live in the Academic Bank of Credits.
- Your CGPA decides the research track — watch it early.
Sources
National Education Policy 2020; UGC Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes; UGC regulations on the Academic Bank of Credits and on PhD degrees. Each university sets its own adoption and thresholds.