Nagaland University to launch first undergraduate program in Basic Sciences

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 18, 2025

Nagaland University, the only central university in the state, will introduce its first undergraduate program in Basic Sciences starting in the 2025-26 academic year. This initiative aims to advance world-class research and expand opportunities in fundamental sciences.

The university will also establish a Multidisciplinary Research Centre to support additional programs in Basic Sciences. This move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes higher education’s role in fostering a democratic, socially conscious, and just society.

Initially, the university will offer three-year and four-year undergraduate programs in Botany, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Zoology. Plans include integrated postgraduate programs in these disciplines, PhD programs in sciences and social sciences, focusing on multidisciplinary research and Integrated PhD programs combining postgraduate and doctoral studies.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik emphasized the university’s commitment to breaking traditional academic boundaries. “We aim to promote world-class research across disciplines, from material sciences to life sciences. Our goal is to enable new possibilities for learners by fostering interdisciplinary studies and flexible learning models,” he said.

The university will implement a ‘multiple entry and exit’ system, allowing students to move between institutions or re-enter programs through the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) mechanism. “This will facilitate seamless mobility and enable students to accumulate, transfer, and redeem credits,” Prof. Patnaik added.

For the 2025-26 academic year, the undergraduate and integrated postgraduate programs will have an initial intake of 50 students across all disciplines. Admission requires a first-class academic record (60% or above) up to Class 12 and a valid CUET (UG) score in the relevant discipline.

The program aims to develop students’ expertise across sciences, humanities, and social sciences while fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Students will have the flexibility to change majors within broader disciplines after the first year. Additional options and interdisciplinary pathways will be introduced in the coming years.