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There are so many examination reforms implemented recently in India and other nations of the world. Among them the choice based credit system (CBCS) is one of them. The CBCS is a cafeteria approach, an examination reform in higher education with reference to semester, credit system, credit transfer, grade point, letter grade and comprehensive continuous assessment. CBCS is a multi-disciplinary approach based on student centric learning and credit accumulated achievement. Therefore it’s no doubt an examination and evaluation reform to ensure excellence and quality in higher education. CBCS is a cafeteria approach of choice based and interdisciplinary learning towards academic autonomy, output and excellence with reference to higher education. We need a comprehensive, broad-based, multi-dimensional and quality education in 21st century. The system of education is continuously changing for greater mobility, quality, autonomy, flexibility, excellence and productivity. CBCS has different basic elements such as semester, credit system, credit transfer, comprehensive and continuous assessment. CBCS is a land mark in evaluation reform in higher education.

To create innovative knowledge concept in a constructive manner with reference to CBCS, its concept, objectives, advantages and disadvantages.

Several latest reviews in national and international journal (Indian Reviews and Abroad). 

Historical Background of CBCS

National Knowledge Commission (2009) and 11^th five year plan (2007-2012) recommended the concept of CBCS and also draw the attention of UGC for its implementation. Thus UGC received the landmark suggestion on behalf of NKC and 11^th five year plan for CBCS keeping the objectives of reform in examination system. That’s why directly or indirectly it ensures quality education through structural and functional changes in examination as well as evaluation based on CBCS according to outcome based learning achievement of the learner with reference to learning outcome based curriculum framework. CBCS is an academic reform introduced by UGC in the higher education sector. It is found that several plethora of recommendation and guidelines of various committees, commission, were controversial. NKC chaired by Sam Pitroda, no doubt a landmark milestone with reference to freedom of choice, minimum credit to obtain a degree and also chosen discipline. It gives importance to freedom of choice of course selection and to earn credit from other discipline. NKC proposed course credit system and minimum requisite credit for different courses irrespective of discipline.   

Concept of CBCS

The choice based credit system is an important examination reform measures taken by UGC in higher education. The system of examination and assessment brought equality and parity in credit based semester system. Evaluation is a continuous and comprehensive process in CBCS, which allows students to develop greater skills and proficiency. Therefore CBCS focus on continuous assessment of student’s performance. There are several dimensions and basic features of CBCS with reference to preamble and UGC constitutional guidelines on adaptation and implementation of credit based semester system. The CBCS provides for inbuilt flexibilities in which the students have a choice of pursuing courses of their choice in the form of electives. The UGC has defined and explained keywords in the context of CBCS. An academic year, course, credit, credit point, grade point, letter grade, Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) etc. are various keywords elaborated properly. There are several dimensions of CBCS such as academic time, course structure, evaluation and assessment, grading, equivalency, certification, effectiveness, institutional reform etc. The grading system under CBCS is scientific, objective and student friendly. There are too many choices under CBCS while selecting the courses. The CBCS enables the students to choose subjects according to their academic interest. Student’s achievement in CBCS is more qualitative than quantitative. The choice based credit system brings uniformity, by introduction of core courses, ability enhancement course, skill enhancement course etc. As we know that minimum 148 credit is required for completion of U.G. programme along all streams (Arts, Science and Commerce).

CBCS has brought uniformity interms of minimum credits to complete a degree course. The system, structure and process of academic activities under CBCS is helpful in making our higher education system globally qualitative and competitive. Introduction of CBCS needs good physical as well as human resources at the institutional level. CBCS allows the students to earn extra credit from a pool of additional skill enhancement course like NCC, NSS, Yoga and Eco-tourism etc. It allows completing 20% of courses through online mode in SWAYAM platform. CBCS allows academic autonomy, smooth migration and transfer credit from state level institutions to national or international level. The Ability Enhancement compulsory Courses under CBCS call for the development of minimum skills, like soft skills, in communication, linguistic skill and skill of living amicably. The teaching is more effective in the credit and semester system in CBCS. Teachers get more opportunities to evaluate student’s performance in CBCS. The credit based semester system ensures better grades to students.

The students are securing higher marks in CBCS than the previous examination system. Importance has given to assignment and seminar presentation, which has increased the creativity of students from different dimensions. The CBCS gives importance to Co-curricular activities for academic quality enhancement and up gradation. That’s why the students are supposed to work hard more for better grade and better academic. No doubt CBCS is a time bound and busy schedule of academic framework, which makes the work of the teachers and student overburden. The teacher does not get sufficient time to attend the problems of students within busy schedules in CBCS. Due to lack of time and busy schedule the teachers are hurry to complete the syllabus. That’s why remedial teaching can’t be attempted from this existing curricular model in emerging scenario of CBCS. Therefore it’s no doubt work load is more than the previous year end annual system. CBCS is more student friendly than teacher friendly.

It is very true that in the credit based semester system time constraints are more. The CBCS in UG programmesemester wised the curricula and restructured syllabi in the form of progressive modules. Therefore credit based and choice based semester system broadens comprehensive, composite and all-round development of the learner. The entire course structure of CBCS may be three types like core, elective and foundation course. Assessment of student’s achievement becomes fair and transparent. Thus universities carry out the process of assessment and examination effectively and also fairly. Non-credit courses are mentioned as satisfactory or unsatisfactory which are not taken into consideration for the computation of Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).        

Choice based credit system (CBCS) is a cafeteria approach, an examination and evaluation reform tool which provides an opportunity to the students for pursuing core-subject with elective and other multi-diversity study. No doubt CBCS promotes systematic, continuous and comprehensive evaluation. Thus we do need redesigning of education system through universal examination reform and globally accepted evaluation pattern. CBCS is more pro-active as well as need based system which aims at developing knowledge, understanding skill and values in a productive, purposive and meaningful dimension. The CBCS nurtures critical thinking, creativity and innovative potentialities of students. Thus choice based credit system is an open and flexible system for quality upgrading of higher education. Continuous evaluation is a feature of CBCS which facilitates students to enjoy distressed learning environment. Indian Higher Education System is running under a lot of pressure and challenges for ensuring comprehensive world class quality education in the context of globalization. Six month period or 24 weeks of academic activities in the institutions is known as semester. Credit refers to class hour or activities per week. Choice based refers to choice or choose multiple course according to own degrees of freedom. Grading stands for marks secured by the student in a letter grade point. Always UGC emphasis several initiative to bring academic excellence, equity, efficiency in Indian system of higher education in terms of reformation in teaching learning process, pedagogy, curriculum structure, good governance, examination and evaluation pattern. Grading system is considered to be better than the conventional marking system. Therefore it is necessary to initiate uniform grading system in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). Emerging higher education institutions are promoting degrees in quantitatively rather than qualitatively. In order to minimize the gap of quality and productivity, we must need to stimulate radical innovation, transformation and reformation through adopting semester system and choice based credit system. The grading system brings a number of uniformity and comparability in the higher education institutions as well as in higher education system. Thus securing grade definitely depends upon the difficulty and easy mode of question paper setting. Uniform grading system facilitates mobility across institutions within and across countries.

Keeping focus on desired uniformity in grading system, the UGC has formulated several guidelines and norms. At present credit system of assessment and evaluation being implemented in Higher education institutions (HEIs). A credit system is a systematic way of describing an educational programme by including credits to its component. The credits may be based on different parameters such as student workload, study hour, learning outcomes and contact hours. One Credit is equivalent to one hour of teaching (lecturer or tutorial) or two hours of practical work/ field work per week. CBCS as a cafeteria like system for solution and transformation from the then conventional or traditional teacher oriented education to student centered education. The credit earned in one college or universities may be transferable to another institutions or universities. Students are allowed with freedom to choose courses of interdisciplinary nature and progress at their own pace. There are a lot of diversity concerned in HEIs in relation to multiple approach of examination, evaluation and grading system. The performance of the students reported using marks secured in the examination or grades or both. It seems very difficult to understand the performance of the students graduating from different universities and colleges based on grade. Therefore it is desirable to introduce uniform grading system which will beneficial for the students, academia and employers at a glance.

Objectives of CBCS

CBCS has following objectives.

1. Reform in higher education: CBCS promotes structural reform in higher education. CBCS no doubt is a reform in higher education so far as the examination and evaluation system is concerned. The CBCS brings reform in higher education with reference to system and structure of academia, examination, evaluation and curriculum at a glance. It enables the students for wider choice of course and discipline of study.

2. Enhancing learning opportunities: CBCS enhances and opens learning opportunities in multiple ways. It is a semester wise pattern for higher education having parameters like study hour, contact hour, learning outcomes, students performance and entrepreneurship skills etc. we know that CBCS is a menu approach, choice based interest oriented approach and cafeteria approach. It promotes flexibility of learning. Base upon individual option of choice and interest factor. The credit accumulation depends on concentrated academic study effort and time spent rigorously towards interest orientation of a learner. As you show, show your reap.  

3. Achievement of scholastic needs and aspirations: Academic achievement is the major objectives of choice based credit system. CBCS provides opportunity to the students for achievement of learner’s scholastic needs and aspiration. It enables students to have wider choices of discipline of study. There are different types of course structure in CBCS. It has clear-cut scholastic objectives and expected learning outcome. Each course shall have a clear defined general and specific objective including course outcomes also. Students have wider choice and flexibility to select core, elective and foundation course. It enables the students to have wider choice of discipline or course according to their own interest concerned. Universities and colleges should concentrate more on job oriented programme, skilled development programme, combination of arts subject, computer science, science and humanities or literature should be introduced. So, that courses should be useful and productive for the students to get job in various sectors.   

4. Improvement of quality and excellence in education: CBCS brings improvement in quality and excellence through various strategy and structural reform in higher education. Quality and excellence in education no doubt is a major objective of CBCS. CBCS provides standard academic excellence. The course structure and academic discipline prepared and planned by the expert from various field of study keeping the scholastic needs and aspiration of the learner, life skill, productivity and employability has given importance which leads to excellence and quality in education. Therefore skill development is not a matter of choice but a matter of necessity.

5. Flexibility, standardized and comparability of educational programme: We know that the previous annual pattern of curriculum was completely outdated having lack of practical utility, lack of life skill, lack of interdisciplinary approach, lack of flexibility, lack of mobility and also lack of freedom of choice. The UGC gives importance to a flexible, standardized and globally competitive educational programme throughout all the universities. We do need to prepare a comprehensive, standardized, qualitative and globally competitive excellent, higher education system in emerging scenario of 21^st century. Therefore structural and functional reform essential to make our education system more transparent, excellent, flexible and globally competitive our national pattern of education must be capable and of international standard in terms of skill, academic excellence and productivity. Indian university education should focus more on skilled based and productive quality education with reference to international standard.

Advantages of CBCS

The Choice Based Credit System improves the standard of higher education. It promotes quality education irrespective of discipline of study. The credit earned by students can transfer to other institutions. No doubt CBCS facilitates students mobility across institutions. All-round development of the learner can be promoted through CBCS. Uniformity in terms of evaluation is another pros of credit based semester system. The stress anxiety and examination phobia of the students can be reduced. All round development of the learner can be promoted through proper execution of credit based semester system. The CBCS brings academic excellence and work efficiency of the students and teachers. It helps the learners to realize the skill, potential through offering basket of course. The students choose the subject according to their own interest. No doubt CBCS is more effective and productive in comparison to the annual pattern and semester system of examination in terms of students mobility, flexibility, credit system, grade system, continuous, comparative evaluation, quality, productivity, excellence, effectiveness and capacity building 

The learners choose courses as per their choice and interest. CBCS offers freedom to choose subjects according to their own learning needs. CBCS provides students centric educational reform. Thus CBCS improve the interdisciplinary approach in education. It gives importance to the internal assessment and mobility of learners from one institution to other.

1. CBCS provides choice for the student to choose the course according to their own interest.

2. Facilitating learning at their own pace.

3. Additional course option.

4. Adopting an inter-disciplinary approach.

5. Accelerates the teaching learning process.

6. It enables vertical and horizontal mobility in learning.

7. The credit based semester system provides flexibility in designing curriculum.

8. Assigning credit based on the course content and hour of teaching.

9. Reduces examination phobia.

10. Develops confidence, responsibility and broaden the outlook of the students.

11. Facilitates greater teacher and student interaction.

12. It provides detail progress of the students in academic activities.

13. Reform in examination and evaluation system.

14. Greater freedom and variety courses to enhance learning.

15. Enhances the study habits among students.

16. It improves the skill and knowledge of the subject in a better ways.

17. It provides an opportunity to the students for continuous and comprehensive learning.

18. It evaluates students’ performance and provides feedback.

19. Growth of students’ academic achievement of students through rigorous study habit and continuous busy schedule.

20. Fosters interest, attitudes, enthusiasms, motivation and team work towards learning.

21. CBCS is more student’s friendly than teacher friendly.

22. The workload, academic stress and examination phobia reduced due to continuous internal examination.

Disadvantages of CBCS

The CBCS has following Cons, limitation and disadvantages.

1. The calculation of exact mark secured by the students is very problematic.

2. CBCS is a burden and more workload for the teachers.

3. It not only a problem for teachers but also for students on account of work burden.

4. Changes of subjectivity would be maximum more particularly, while evaluation of internal examination or internal performances of students are concerned.

5. Discourages ranking among students.

6. In grade system the competition among students are very less.

7. Competition for securing highest mark or grade is discouraged.

8. Grading system demotivates the gifted or bright students.

9. Research work and innovation hampered due to lack of time because teachers are involved in multitasking activities like arrangement for examination and setting papers.

10. One of the major limitation of grading system, as it does not allow ranking of the students.

11. We can’t find any distinction among students having same grade.      

This Article entitled “Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in the higher education in India at a glance” highlights the concept, objectives, advantages and disadvantages of CBCS. We can summaries the objectives it such as reform in higher education, enhancing learning opportunities, achievement of scholastic needs and aspiration, improvement of quality excellence in education, flexibility, standardized and comparability of educational programme. Several basic elements of choice based credit system are Semester system, credit system, grading, credit transfer and comprehensive continuous assessment are the basic elements of CBCS. Higher education passes through radical changes towards quality, excellence and transformation. Therefore the concept of 5T has implemented and impacted in the higher education system. Hence 5T refers to transformation, transparency, time, teamwork and technology. CBCS has implemented to bring academic excellence, quality education, equity and holistic development of students. CBCS have been emphasized for skill development, development of life skill, productivity, employability nurturing critical, creative and problem solving skill. CBCS is one of the important examination reform to ensure excellence and quality in higher education which are the major objective and mottos of UGC. Therefore UGC focus on various UG programmes with implementation of Choice Based Credit System. No doubt CBCS becomes more effective and productive as per Learning Outcome Based Curriculum Framework (LOCF). Any excellent academic programme is the result of continuous effort, constant innovation and research with academician, expert, alumni, intellectual, students and stakeholders. Lack of interdisciplinary approach and lack of academic quality and values are major problem in higher education. Therefore it is essential to bring academic excellence and quality education through academic and administrative reform by implementing choice based credit system (CBCS). That’s why CBCS is a new transformation of education system towards multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary nature of education. The emerging system of higher education is suffering from old outdated curriculum and lack of interdisciplinary approach. No doubt CBCS is a transformation from traditional teacher oriented education to a student centered education. CBCS responds towards the educational and occupational aspiration’s of young inspiring aspiration of upcoming generations.

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