Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) strongly condemns the recent decision of the West Bengal government to defy the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Notice to discontinue M.Phil as a recognized degree by retaining the M.Phil program. This decision by the West Bengal government will lead to a disoriented educational future for students in West Bengal, potentially hindering their alignment with national standards.
The decision to persist with the M.Phil program in Bengal, against UGC Notice and national trends, signifies a lack of commitment from the state government towards ensuring educational parity. ABVP expresses concern that students in Bengal may face a disadvantage compared to peers in states where educational reforms adhere to national policies. The reported scams and irregularities within the West Bengal government’s education sector are harming the educational future of the students.
ABVP National Secretary Shri Budhdev Bagh, stated, “ABVP supports the decision of UGC to discontinue the M.Phil degree in alignment with the progressive vision outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP-2020). We believe that the decision of the West Bengal government to defy UGC is regressive, undermining the academic potential of students in West Bengal. The decision of UGC to discontinue M.Phil as a recognized degree adheres to streamlined academic pathways, promoting a seamless transition for students from master’s programs to research-intensive master’s or PhDs.”