SHIMLA -06 March, 2026-Education Minister Rohit Thakur today here chaired a meeting of the State Level Task Force constituted for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 in Himachal Pradesh and issued a necessary directions aimed at strengthening higher education in the state. He directed officials and academic representatives to ensure effective implementation of NEP-2020 in government degree colleges affiliated with Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla and Sardar Patel University, Mandi.

The Education Minister emphasized the need to align the state’s higher education system with the national academic framework envisioned under NEP-2020. He said that the semester system has already been successfully implemented at the postgraduate level and said that extending it to undergraduate programmes would bring greater academic flexibility and efficiency.

Rohit Thakur also directed institutions and universities to adopt modern evaluation processes such as technical evaluation, spot evaluation and strengthened internal assessment mechanisms. He said that these systems should help universities declare examination results within 30 days, reducing delays and improving transparency in the evaluation process.

The Education Minister directed that NEP-2020 aligned programmes be introduced from the 2026-27 session, including the three-year UG, four-year UG with Honours/Honours with Research and five-year integrated Bachelor’s–Master’s programmes. The four-year UG programme will start in colleges with higher enrolment. He also stressed adopting the Learning Outcomes-based Curriculum Framework LOCF and integrating vocational education, skill development, internships and apprenticeship-embedded degrees to improve student's employability.

The Education Minister further said that 389 posts will be filled soon, and the matter has already been sent to the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. He also directed the introduction of an internal ranking system for colleges to improve academic standards and institutional performance.

Addressing institutional development, he said that the government is willing to provide greater autonomy to colleges, enabling them to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with organizations and launch programmes that enhance skill development and career opportunities for students.

The Minister also directed authorities to rationalize colleges with enrolment below 75 students to ensure efficient use of academic and infrastructural resources.
Rohit Thakur highlighted the importance of higher education institutions. He said that universities are the supreme temples of education, and the present state government is making every possible effort to provide quality and skill-based education to students. He said that Himachal Pradesh has already achieved several milestones in the field of education and has emerged as a frontrunner in the sector, and the state ranks among the top in Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for higher education in the country.
He said that if the semester system and internal evaluation mechanisms under NEP cannot be implemented immediately in full, efforts should be made to implement them at least 50 percent in the initial phase, gradually moving towards complete implementation.
Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, while sharing his valuable insights, assured that the State Government would extend all possible support and assistance in addressing any issues or challenges faced by the universities.

Director Higher Education Dr. Marjeet K Sharma gave a detail presentation on the current status of higher education in the state and the initiatives undertaken by the department to strengthen it. He also highlighted the challenges involved in implementing the NEP-2020 and assured universities and colleges of the department’s full support in its effective implementation.

Vice Chancellor HPU Dr. Mahavir Singh, and the Vice Chancellor SPU Dr. Lalit Kumar Awasthy also shared their valuable suggestions during the discussion.

A detailed presentation on NEP-2020 was delivered by both the universities on the occasion.

Dean of Studies of both the universities, Members of State Task Force along with experts, professors, principals from various colleges and senior officers of the department were present in the meeting.