Implementing the guidelines of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), Himachal Pradesh government (HPU) has decided to switchover to semester system for undergraduate course from the ensuing academic session.

The academic and executive council of Himachal Pradesh University have already approved the proposal and the examination schedule, number of teaching days in each semester, curriculum revision and parameters for evaluation of students work are being finalised.

Instead for three annual examinations for graduation, the students would now appear in six half yearly examination for getting degree in Humanities, Science and Commerce courses.

There are about 150 degree colleges, including 66 government degree colleges, affiliated to HPU which would be arrested by semester system.

The semester system would be introduced for B.A, BSc and B.Com first year students from this year and switchover would be completed in next three years. The students will be offered courses under choice-based credit system and the final examination will be conducted by Himachal Pradesh University at the end of every semester.

Academic schedule would be prepared in a manner that it ensured a minimum 180 teaching days, which obviously means, 90 teaching days in each semester before the examination. Admission to first-year courses in Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science (medical and non-medical) and Bachelor of Commerce will commence from June 10 and classes will start from June 21. Second-year and third-year students will complete the course under the old system.