The University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially activated the UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule, allowing college students across India to seamlessly shift from one university to another without losing academic progress. This landmark reform, rolled out in January 2025, is a key step in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aimed at making higher education more flexible, student-centric, and multi-disciplinary.
With the UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule, students can now carry their earned academic credits from one institution to another through a centralized Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) platform. This reform enables students to pause, resume, or even switch their degrees midway, promoting academic freedom and mobility.
Objectives Behind the Credit Transfer Policy
The UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule is designed to liberalize higher education, break rigid structures, and offer greater choice and autonomy to learners. It gives students the flexibility to study at multiple institutions without repeating coursework or losing time.
Key objectives of the policy include:
-
Allow inter-university transfers without loss of academic credits
-
Enable multi-exit and multi-entry options in degree programs
-
Support students facing migration, financial, or personal challenges
-
Create a national academic credit bank for transparent records
-
Encourage cross-disciplinary education and joint degrees
The UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule creates a learner-driven education model, reducing the stress of being locked into one university system.
How Credit Transfer Works Under the New Rule
Under the UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule, all colleges and universities recognized by UGC are required to register on the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) portal. This platform digitally stores, tracks, and validates each student’s academic performance.
Credit transfer process:
-
Student completes a semester or year at University A
-
University A uploads earned credits to the ABC portal
-
Student applies to transfer to University B
-
University B accesses ABC and accepts validated credits
-
Student resumes from the appropriate academic level
Only credits earned from UGC-approved programs and institutions are eligible under the UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule, ensuring quality and standardization.
Eligibility and Types of Programs Covered
The UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule applies to a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. All students enrolled in regular, open, online, and distance-learning UGC-recognized institutions are eligible to benefit from this policy.
Covered programs include:
-
BA, BSc, BCom, BBA, BCA, and Engineering programs
-
MA, MSc, MCom, and professional PG courses
-
Online degree programs via SWAYAM, NPTEL, or UGC-OL
-
Courses from autonomous institutions under UGC umbrella
The rule does not apply to courses not affiliated or recognized by UGC, such as standalone private certification programs or non-academic diplomas.
Colleges and Universities Already Implementing It
Several universities and colleges have already adopted the UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule and begun accepting students who wish to transfer mid-program. The ABC portal has crossed 25 lakh student registrations and is actively expanding its network.
| Institution | ABC Integration | Transfer Requests Processed |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi University | Yes | 2,500+ |
| Banaras Hindu University | Yes | 1,700+ |
| University of Mumbai | Yes | 2,200+ |
| Jadavpur University | Yes | 1,100+ |
| IGNOU (online mode included) | Yes | 3,800+ |
These early adopters are setting benchmarks for effective implementation of the UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule.
FAQs
What is the UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule?
The UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule allows students to transfer academic credits earned at one university to another, using the ABC (Academic Bank of Credits) system.
Can I change my college in the middle of my degree?
Yes, under the UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule, you can transfer to another UGC-recognized institution and continue your degree without starting over.
How are credits transferred?
Credits are stored in the Academic Bank of Credits. When you change institutions, your new university accesses and validates these credits.
Is this applicable for online and distance learning?
Yes, the UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule includes online and distance-learning programs offered by UGC-approved institutions.
Do I need approval from both universities?
Yes, while credits are transferable, you still need admission approval from the receiving university under the UGC 2025 Credit Transfer Rule.
Click here to know more.