As Maharashtra prepares to roll out major higher education reforms under NEP 2020, the State is positioning itself as a future-ready knowledge and innovation hub. From the introduction of four-year undergraduate programmes and research-focused Honours degrees to flexible learning pathways, Academic Bank of Credits, industry integration, and global collaborations, the reforms aim to reshape the higher education ecosystem. In this exclusive interaction with ET Education, Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil discusses the State’s vision for globally competitive, industry-ready and research-driven education. Read excerpts from the interview.Q: Maharashtra is preparing to roll out four-year undergraduate programme from 2026-27 under NEP 2020. What larger change do you want this reform to bring to the State’s higher education system?
Chandrakant Patil: The reforms under NEP 2020 are aimed at transforming Maharashtra’s higher education ecosystem through autonomy, flexibility, employability, research and global compatibility.
Maharashtra is working to move from being a traditional education provider to becoming a Global Knowledge Hub. The four-year undergraduate programme is central to this vision and aims to provide students academic opportunities comparable to leading global institutions.
The reform also seeks to promote multidisciplinary education beyond rigid separations between Arts, Commerce, and Science.
Under the four-year model, students exiting after two years will receive a Diploma, after three years a Degree, and after four years an Honours or Honours with Research qualification. The Academic Bank of Credits through the MahaGyanDeep portal will digitally store credits and allow students to learn across institutions and platforms.
Students with a CGPA of 7.5 or above can opt for the Honours with Research track and work under PhD guides. Internships have also been made mandatory in the final year to strengthen workplace exposure and applied learning. The broader objective is to ensure graduates from Maharashtra are globally competitive, technologically capable, and industry-ready.
Q: The introduction of Honours and Honours with Research in the fourth year is a major shift. What outcomes is the government hoping to achieve through this move?
Chandrakant Patil: The introduction of Honours and Honours with Research aims to reduce the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. The move aligns Maharashtra’s degree structure with international standards and improves pathways for direct PhD entry and advanced research opportunities.
The Honours with Research track, available for students with a minimum CGPA of 7.5, requires a dissertation or major research project to help build a stronger undergraduate research culture. For students pursuing the regular Honours track, the focus will be on internships, on-the-job training, and industry-linked learning so graduates become productive from Day 1. The State has also introduced eligibility norms requiring institutions to upgrade infrastructure and faculty standards before implementing the fourth year.
Our goal is clear: a degree from a Maharashtra university should become a global passport.
Q: Multiple entry-exit and the Academic Bank of Credits are among the biggest changes under NEP. How do you see these reshaping the student experience?
Chandrakant Patil: The reforms under NEP 2020 are transforming higher education into a more flexible lifelong learning system.
Under the Multiple Entry-Exit framework, students who pause education for financial, personal, or professional reasons will not lose academic progress. Students exiting after two years will receive a recognised Diploma, while earned credits will remain stored through the Academic Bank of Credits linked to the APAAR ID.
The principle is simple: no learning should be wasted.
Students will also be able to combine learning across institutions and online platforms such as SWAYAM while integrating credits into a single degree. The reforms reflect a shift from degree-first to skill-first education, allowing students to enter the workforce, gain experience, and later continue education through flexible pathways.
Q: You have repeatedly stressed the importance of training teachers and administrators. How critical will capacity building be in ensuring these reforms work on the ground?
Chandrakant Patil: Capacity building is central to the success of these reforms and uniform implementation across institutions is essential. The Government has made specialised NEP training mandatory for principals, directors, and faculty members through the Maharashtra State Faculty Development Academy.
Educators are being trained in active learning, design thinking, case studies, and industry-linked teaching methods. A Learning Management System is also being rolled out to ensure educators become NEP-certified before the 2026-27 academic cycle.
The State is also working with the UGC’s Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme through universities including Mumbai University, Savitribai Phule Pune University, and Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University. Administrators and examination systems are also being prepared for credit mobility, digital records, and flexible academic pathways.
Q: Affordability continues to be a major concern in higher education. How is the State looking at fee regulation and transparency as programmes become longer and more flexible?
Chandrakant Patil: Affordability is a key priority for the Government. We are clear that expanding higher education should not increase the financial burden on students and families. The Government is moving towards tighter regulation of additional fees charged by institutions. Colleges found imposing unjustified charges beyond sanctioned fees will face strict action.
One of the most significant initiatives is the decision to provide 100% tuition and examination fee waivers for girl students from families with annual incomes up to ₹8 lakh. The scheme has already led to a rise in enrolment. The Government is also strengthening the Fee Regulating Authority and Appellate Authority so students and parents can challenge arbitrary fee hikes.
Through upgrades to the MahaDBT portal, scholarship processes are being simplified, documentation requirements reduced, and targeted support expanded for orphan and tribal students. The objective is to ensure that access to quality higher education is not determined by economic background.
Q: Industry alignment has long been a concern in higher education. How is the State ensuring these reforms translate into job-ready skills rather than remaining purely academic?
Chandrakant Patil: Industry alignment is now being institutionalised through a partnership model involving the Government, universities, and industry. Maharashtra has signed an MoU with the Board of Apprenticeship Training to roll out Apprenticeship-Embedded Degree Programmes. In the fourth year, especially in the Honours track, students will spend substantial time in industries, laboratories, and workplaces.
The State has also directed universities and autonomous colleges to include industry experts on Boards of Studies so curricula remain aligned with emerging sectors such as AI, green energy, and advanced manufacturing. The fourth-year curriculum is being mapped against National Occupational Standards to ensure the Honours degree represents professional competence alongside academic achievement.
Industry immersion is also being introduced for faculty members so educators remain aligned with current technological and workplace trends. At the same time, the State is encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship. Students working on startups, prototypes, or research projects in incubators can earn academic credits for those activities.
Q: Maharashtra has seen rapid expansion in engineering and management institutions over the years. How is the State balancing access with quality and regulation?
Chandrakant Patil: The focus is now shifting from expansion to excellence. New colleges are being approved based on district-wise educational demand through the State Perspective Plan, while saturated regions such as Mumbai and Pune are being encouraged to focus on quality improvement.
The Government is also working with AICTE to monitor enrolment and infrastructure standards, and institutions consistently failing to meet benchmarks may face merger or closure. NAAC and NBA accreditation are being treated as mandatory quality milestones, while mentor institutions are helping colleges improve standards.
The State is also encouraging autonomy, Cluster Universities, and shared infrastructure models to improve quality and resource access. Financial support under schemes such as CM-USHA is being linked to research, student outcomes, and community engagement.
Q: Looking ahead, what outcomes will define the success of these reforms over the next decade, and where do you see Maharashtra in India’s higher education landscape?
Chandrakant Patil: The success of these reforms will be measured by improvements in access, employability, research, and global competitiveness. Maharashtra aims to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio to 50% by 2035 and improve graduate employability and entrepreneurship outcomes.
The State also wants at least five universities to enter the Global Top 500 rankings and more institutions to feature among the NIRF Top 100. By 2027, every public university is expected to have a Research & Development Cell and an incubation centre, with a stronger focus on patents and innovation.
Maharashtra is also positioning itself as an international education gateway through global collaborations and integrated education hubs. Our vision is to ensure students across Maharashtra have equal access to quality education, digital learning resources, and global opportunities.
Maharashtra is moving from being a degree-awarding State to becoming a talent-exporting powerhouse prepared for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
