Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in Indian Higher Education: Implementation, Reforms, and Future Directions under NEP 2020

The Government of India announced the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) approximately five and a half years ago with the aim of transforming, innovating, and reforming the education sector. The policy seeks to address the evolving developmental imperatives and the diverse educational needs of India and its people. This policy incorporates concrete and forward-looking provisions ranging from primary education to higher education. Among these provisions, the concept of the credit system, also known as the ‘Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)’, is most prominent and significant, and its uniform implementation has been made mandatory in every programme (degree/diploma) at the level of higher education. Prior to this, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in India followed undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. coursework programmes without a formal credit framework. However, according to the current education policy, NEP 2020, it is compulsory for all Higher Education Institutions to operate academic programmes as per the credit system along with the ‘semester system’ (that is, a shift from the annual to the half-yearly/semester system). Therefore, the main objective of the present paper is to present an in-depth review of CBCS/credit system. Along with this, clearly explain and elaborate upon various points to CBCS. This paper is a narrative review prepared by analyzing various relevant educational materials and sources. The study found that CBCS can be effective through practical and student-friendly strategies based on the needs of institutions, students, and teachers, which promote quality learning and sustainable educational growth. On the basis of the findings of the present review paper, it is suggested that CBCS will work better when institutions follow practical, student-friendly approaches, keeping course selection and assessment easy to understand. Continuous teacher training and strong digital support systems can help improve learning quality and long-term educational development.