Engineering with an exit: New policy lets B-Tech students save a year

The new policy lets B.Tech students who earn 250 out of 400 credits leave after three years with a Bachelor of Science degree, including specialization options based on their coursework.

The move, introduced under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, marks a significant shift in the structure of undergraduate engineering education in India. According to Prathap Haridoss, Dean (Academic Courses) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, the policy is aimed at ensuring students are not left with incomplete degrees if they choose to exit early for career-related reasons.

Addressing the key question: why is this change necessary and what does it achieve? Educationists say the answer lies in flexibility and time efficiency. Under the new system, students who wish to pursue MBAs, civil services, entrepreneurship, or other career paths can save one academic year and move forward without sacrificing formal qualifications. “This is possible only because of the NEP,” Haridoss noted, adding that the reform allows students to transition smoothly rather than dropping out midway.

The policy also introduces structural changes aligned with NEP goals. The minimum credits per semester have been reduced to 50 , while electives now account for up to 40 per cent of the programme , giving students greater freedom to tailor their education based on interests and career plans. Universities can also offer discipline-specific or interdisciplinary specialisations within the three-year BSc exit option, depending on completed coursework.

While many academicians have welcomed the reform as a student-centric and future-ready approach, some concerns remain. Critics question whether a three-year BSc degree awarded to BTech entrants will carry the same prestige and industry acceptance as a full four-year engineering degree, particularly in the job market.

Despite the debate, policymakers argue that the reform reflects the NEP’s core vision of multiple entry and exit options, academic flexibility, and outcome-based learning, a shift designed to align higher education with diverse career trajectories rather than a one-size-fits-all model.