UGC introduces Life Skill Curriculum According to NEP 2020

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, has updated its Life Skills (Jeevan Kaushal) curriculum for undergraduate students. The NEP 2020 emphasizes the importance of nurturing essential life skills for the all-around development of learners.

Originally established in 2019, the life skills curriculum encompassed four key areas: Communication Skills, Professional Skills, Leadership and Management Skills, and Universal Human Values.

The enhanced curriculum now includes additional modules such as Digital Literacy and Social Media, Digital Ethics and Cyber Security, Verbal and Non-verbal Communication, Cognitive and Non-cognitive Skills, Managing Personal Finance, and Constitutional Values, Justice, and Human Rights.

The curriculum is designed to be flexible, allowing for adaptation to the diverse contexts of various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It provides a learner-centered approach with clear objectives, outcomes, and engaging activities like role-playing, multimedia projects, group exercises, case studies, and e-learning resources.

Life skills are divided into three main categories:

• Social or Interpersonal Skills: This includes abilities like effective communication, assertiveness, teamwork, and empathy.
• Creative/Thinking Skills: This covers problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, decision-making, and self-awareness.
• Emotional Skills: This involves managing stress and emotions, as well as resisting peer pressure.

These skills are vital for personal, social, and professional success and are enriched with values of universal humanity, justice, and human rights.

For faculty, it’s important to note that the four Life Skills courses are integral for graduates to manage their lives comprehensively. Each course is worth 2 credits, summing up to 8 credits in total. These courses are foundational and span across disciplines.

Students must fulfill the credit requirements for these courses, which can be taken individually or in pairs, without exceeding a 4-credit load per semester.

Qualified faculty members with the right credentials and passion for teaching these skills are essential. The courses can be delivered both online and offline, providing students with optimal learning environments.