APSCHE moots major overhaul of PG education in 28 State universities

Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has proposed a comprehensive restructuring of postgraduate education across 28 State universities, envisaging a shift from conventional, discipline-based and examination-oriented courses to interdisciplinary, research-driven and industry-linked programmes aligned with emerging technologies, regional development priorities and global employment opportunities.

“The proposed reforms seek to transform universities into regional knowledge hubs, each offering distinctive postgraduate programmes based on its academic strengths, geographical advantages, industrial potential and regional requirements,” said the council Chairman (Incharge) S. Vijaya Bhaskara Rao.

Speaking to The Hindu, Prof. Rao said the strategic restructuring plan, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, envisages around 336 indicative postgraduate programmes, with 12 proposed for each university under four broad categories: employability, entrepreneurship, regional needs and globally futuristic disciplines.

A major feature of the proposed reform is a common credit framework of 80–88 credits for two-year postgraduate programmes. “The curriculum will combine core disciplinary subjects with specialisation, interdisciplinary electives, research methodology, academic writing, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and digital tools,” he informed, adding that internships, field immersion, industry projects, dissertations and capstone projects will also become integral components.

The framework envisages flexible academic pathways, including a postgraduate diploma exit after completing 40 credits in the first year, a one-year postgraduate programme for graduates of four-year undergraduate courses, and five-year integrated UG-PG programmes. Students may also pursue two postgraduate programmes simultaneously, subject to UGC and university regulations.

He said the university-wise differentiation will focus on areas such as blue economy and maritime logistics at Andhra University, quantum technologies and public policy at Acharya Nagarjuna University, dryland agriculture and renewable energy at Sri Krishnadevaraya University, and water security and climate adaptation at Rayalaseema University. Technical universities will concentrate on semiconductors, green hydrogen, electric vehicles, drones and advanced computing, while agricultural, fisheries and health universities will develop specialised programmes in their respective sectors, he explained.

The plan also proposes 12 State-level thematic clusters and 10 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) which will operate through a hub-and-spoke model involving universities, industries and research institutions.

The implementation roadmap envisages a two-track approach, he said, explaining that during 2027–28, existing postgraduate programmes will be redesigned by introducing the common credit framework, AI and data tools, internships and capstone projects. “New programmes will be introduced in phases from the academic year 2028–29, beginning with immediately employable courses, followed by region-specific and globally competitive programmes,” he said.

“The action plan proposes a State-level Expert Committee, 11 Subject Expert Committees and university-level reform cells,” he informed, adding that the APSCHE will issue an advisory framework by July 2027 after stakeholder consultations, while universities must obtain statutory approvals for curriculum reforms and new programmes. The plan also envisages shared facilities, faculty development and industry partnerships to address shortages in faculty, infrastructure and funding, he said.

Published - November 06, 2026 04:27 pm IST