Patna: A high-level meeting at Lok Bhawan on Wednesday finalised plans to roll out the apprenticeship embedded degree programme (AEDP) across 13 colleges under five universities in Bihar from the 2026–27 academic session. The four-year undergraduate course is designed to be job-oriented, combining academic learning with industry exposure to improve students’ employability after graduation.
Meeting Details
The meeting, chaired by additional chief secretary to the governor Dipak Kumar Singh, was attended by senior education department officials, including deputy director Deepak Kumar Singh, along with registrars of Patna, Patliputra, BR Ambedkar Bihar, Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur and L N Mithila universities. Principals and AEDP coordinators of all the 13 participating colleges also took part in the discussions.
Programme Overview
Details of the programme, introduced at the initiative of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, were deliberated extensively. The AEDP has been conceptualised as a model to bridge the gap between higher education and industry needs by embedding skill-based learning within traditional degree courses.
During the meeting, Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP) founder member R S Julania and state lead Baidyanath Yadav presented the academic and technical framework of the programme. Describing it as a significant reform, they highlighted its potential to align educational outcomes with employability requirements of industries. The curriculum will comprise 75% academic content and 25% industry-specific skills, ensuring a balanced learning approach.
Key Features
- Mandatory Apprenticeship: In the third year, students will undergo hands-on training in industries while receiving a monthly stipend of Rs 12,300.
- Earn While You Learn: Officials said this model would provide financial support and practical experience, improving students’ readiness for the job market.
- Job Absorption: Successful candidates may also be absorbed by the same industries after completing their training.
Academic Flexibility
Despite its strong vocational orientation, the AEDP will retain academic flexibility, allowing graduates to pursue postgraduate studies or appear for competitive examinations. Singh said the programme is likely to attract more students and boost the state’s gross enrolment ratio in higher education.
Participating Institutions
The institutions selected under the scheme include B N College (digital electronics) and Magadh Mahila College (health care management) under Patna University; College of Commerce, Arts and Science (digital electronics), Ganga Devi Mahila College (financial services and insurance), and J D Women’s College (retail operations and financial services) under Patliputra University; Bhagalpur National College (retail operations) under Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University; and R N College, Hajipur, RSS Science College, Sitamarhi, and L N Dubey College, Motihari under BR Ambedkar Bihar University.
