The introduction of India’s first digital university and the foundation of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will mark two significant developments for India in 2023. In order to obtain a degree from any top university in India, students can obtain 50 per cent of the credits needed from one university and the remaining 60 per cent from a higher education institution (HEI) of their choosing beginning with the academic year 2023–2024. Additionally, another choice offers students the chance to gain credits from several partner HEIs while also earning a degree from the National Digital University (NDU).
The next academic year, 2023–2024, will see the launch of the digital university, which will provide courses leading to diplomas, certificates, and degrees. The Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) platform, itself aspired to create virtual campuses to offer democratic delivery of educational services. At the same time, the Samarth platform, which aims to create digital campuses that offer simple and democratic delivery of educational services, will be given control over the technological and administrative delivery.
Based on the “hub and spoke” design, SWAYAM and Samarth will serve as the hub, and the HEIs that will provide online courses through the digital university will act as the spokes. The university’s core courses will initially be those offered on the SWAYAM platform, coupled with those from a few select institutions that already offer similar online programmes. Through NDU, online programmes are offered by both public and private universities that meet the eligibility requirements.
