Parliament Question: Review of Outdated and Irrelevant Courses in HEIs

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 5858 ANSWERED ON- 30/03/2026 Review of Outdated and Irrelevant Courses in HEIs 5858. Shri P V Midhun Reddy: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) the list of courses currently offered in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) that have been identified as outdated, irrelevant or controversial, along with the details of the criteria adopted for identifying them; (b) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment regarding the impact of such courses on students’ employability and overall educational outcomes, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (c) whether the Government proposes to take specific steps to review, update, discontinue such courses, if so, the details thereof including the proposed timeline for implementation of these changes and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) to (c): As per the information received from the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Universities, being autonomous institutions, are free to take all academic decisions, including courses to be run, with the approval of their respective statutory authorities. With a view to enhance employability of graduates, the UGC has issued guidelines for Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to offer apprenticeship embedded degree programme on 24.03.2025, and guidelines for internship/research Internship for under graduate students on 02.02.2024. The UGC has also requested HEIs to take necessary action for implementation of these guidelines. Further, as per the information received from the All India Council for Teacher Education (AICTE), based on AICTE's Approval Process Handbook (2024–2027) and recent policy shifts leading into 2026, the Council is moving towards AI-integrated curricula. The initiatives taken by AICTE to promote the education as per industry demand and job orientation include model curriculum revision; multi-disciplinary approach in education; new B.Tech programmes in data science and artificial intelligence, VLSI design Tech, logistic and Diploma in IC manufacturing; introduction of minor degree courses; collaboration with Industry; AICTE internship portal; AICTE career portal; policy on working professionals to upgrade skills; AICTE- IDEA Lab Scheme (Idea Development, Evaluation & Application). *****