Pune, 19 July 2025: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released draft guidelines for implementing the Multiple Entry and Multiple Exit (MEME) system in higher education, as proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This move marks a shift away from traditional rigid structures of education, offering students the freedom to enter or exit academic programs at various points and resume learning later without penalty.
According to the proposed policy, students will be able to take admission into a program at any stage and temporarily discontinue their studies if needed, with the option to return and continue from where they left off. The aim is to support lifelong learning and accommodate students who may have to interrupt their studies due to personal or professional reasons.
Under this new academic structure, students exiting after the first year will receive a certificate, after the second year a diploma, after the third year a degree, and after the fourth year either an honours degree or a research-based honours degree. However, these flexible options are currently applicable only to regular in-person education, and not to distance learning modes.
The UGC also stated that any vacancies created by students exiting mid-course will be marked as "temporary vacancies" and may be filled through a transparent admission process. Dr. Manish Joshi, UGC Secretary, has published the draft on the official website, inviting feedback and suggestions until July 30.
A crucial element of the scheme is the role of academic credits. As long as the credits earned by the student remain valid, they can be used to re-enter the program later. If the credits expire, students can either apply for revalidation or opt for a process called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), allowing them to retain or reclaim their previous progress.