A Qualitative Study on the Semester System at the Undergraduate Level and Students’ Attitude Toward Examinations in the Context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Abstract

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has proposed several significant reforms in India’s higher education system, including a flexible curriculum, multidisciplinary education, continuous assessment, and student-centred learning. Under these reforms, emphasis has also been placed on the effective implementation of the semester system. The present study aims to understand the impact of the current implementation of the semester system at the undergraduate level on students’ seriousness toward examinations. A qualitative research methodology was used in this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with undergraduate students. The findings revealed that some students perceive examinations merely as a formal process and appear for them with limited preparation. At the same time, some students reported that the semester system can help in developing regular study habits. The study concludes that to successfully achieve the objectives of NEP 2020, there is a need for the effective implementation of the semester system along with the enhancement of students’ academic motivation.