Maharashtra Universities Asked to Follow Uniform Academic Calendar for Effective NEP Implementation

Mumbai, August 11: Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil has directed all public universities in the state to adopt a uniform academic calendar to ensure effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP).

Chairing an online meeting of vice-chancellors of public universities, Patil also directed universities to prepare an academic framework for implementing the fourth-year Honours degree programme from the 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years.

Patil instructed vice-chancellors and pro-vice-chancellors to interact with 50 students every week to understand their academic concerns and resolve issues promptly. Universities have been asked to submit reports on the problems raised and action taken.

To strengthen NEP implementation, universities were directed to form college clusters and promote sharing of faculty, laboratories, libraries, infrastructure and other academic resources. Each university should conduct at least one cluster activity every month.

The minister also called for common curricula where necessary, uniform implementation of UGC-prescribed workload norms and immediate measures to prevent examination paper leaks. A standard operating procedure (SOP) and clear accountability guidelines for officials and staff will be prepared.