Now Reading: VTU introduces minor degrees, mandates 18 extra credits
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VTU introduces minor degrees, mandates 18 extra credits
Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has introduced regulations allowing BE students to earn a minor degree by completing at least 18 additional credits through online courses, including NPTEL programmes. The regulations were notified on 5 October after approval by the Executive Council on 2 June, and a circular has been issued to all affiliated colleges.
Students can register from the third semester and begin courses in the fourth semester, completing them before the eighth-semester exams. To earn the minor, students must complete both the BE and minor within the maximum duration and secure a minimum BE CGPA of 4.0. The university will issue a separate minor degree certificate alongside the BE degree.
Minor degree credits will not count towards the BE CGPA or rank. Students cannot register for Honours and minor degrees simultaneously, and switching between them is not permitted. Those who exit or fail to complete the minor will not receive any certificate or transcript for credits earned.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both The Times of India and Deccan Herald cover VTU's minor degree regulations as straight news, with no discernible slant. The Times of India provides a fuller set of rules, including CGPA minimums and the ban on simultaneous Honours registration. Deccan Herald frames the move around employability and skills diversification, and adds detail on NPTEL assessment cut-offs. Neither outlet critiques or praises the policy beyond the university's own statements. The uniform coverage reflects the administrative nature of the announcement. Students can now decide whether to take on the extra 18 credits, with the key constraint being the prohibition on switching between Honours and minor programmes.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report), deccanherald.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
