In a noteworthy policy change, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved the option for higher education institutions to conduct admissions twice annually, commencing from the forthcoming academic year. This adjustment means that admissions will be accessible both in January / February and July / August, thereby widening opportunities for students who might have missed the initial intake due to factors such as delayed board results, health concerns, or personal circumstances.

Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, the Chairman of UGC, elucidated that the introduction of biannual admissions is poised to benefit students by minimizing the waiting period for enrollment and bolstering their motivation. Furthermore, it facilitates industries to organize campus recruitment twice a year, thereby augmenting the prospects for graduate employment.

Beforehand, the UGC allowed biannual admissions exclusively for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as well as Online modes, leading to an enrollment increase of nearly half a million students. Buoyed by this achievement, the UGC decided to extend the policy to regular mode programs.

This alteration brings Indian universities in line with international norms, potentially enhancing opportunities for global collaborations and student exchanges. Nonetheless, implementing biannual admissions is not obligatory, and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) need to revise their regulations to integrate this system.

The introduction of biannual admissions is anticipated to raise the Gross Enrolment Ratio and support India's aspiration to become a premier 'Global Study Destination,' as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.