Patna : Universities and higher education institutions in Bihar will be able to introduce seven new four-year undergraduate programmes with embedded apprenticeship opportunities after the Governor approved the revised ordinances and regulations governing the courses.
The approval covers higher education institutions governed by the Bihar State Universities Act, 1976 and the Patna University Act, 1976. The revised provisions are effective from September 30, 2026.
Under the Four-Year Undergraduate Apprenticeship-Embedded Degree Programme, students will pursue a four-year undergraduate degree while also getting an opportunity to undertake apprenticeship training in a related field.
Seven New Courses Approved
The approved programmes cover areas ranging from creative writing and banking to healthcare, retail and electronics.
The seven courses are:
- BA in Content and Creative Writing
- BCom in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance
- BCom in E-Commerce Operations
- BCom in Human Resource Operations
- BCom in Retail Operations
- BSc in Healthcare Management
- BSc (Honours) in Electronics, with a major in Digital Electronics and a minor in Solar Photovoltaic Systems or Data Science
The programmes are designed to combine academic learning with practical exposure, allowing students to gain experience in sectors related to their chosen courses.
Universities Must Complete Approval Process
Universities will have to complete the prescribed statutory process before introducing the new programmes.
The revised ordinances and regulations must be approved by the institutions’ statutory bodies. Academic Council approval, along with approval from the Syndicate and Senate where required, will be necessary if these approvals have not already been obtained.
Institutions will also have to enter into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in accordance with Paragraph 10 of the revised ordinances and regulations.
This means universities and other eligible higher education institutions will have to complete the required regulatory approvals and formal agreements before admitting students to the new programmes.
Existing Students To Remain Covered
The notification also clarifies the status of students admitted under the earlier notification.
Students who were already admitted on the basis of the May 27, 2026 notification will be considered to have been admitted under the revised four-year ordinances and regulations.
The change will therefore not adversely affect students who have already secured admission under the earlier provisions.
The approval marks an expansion of undergraduate programmes that combine conventional degree education with structured apprenticeship opportunities, giving students the option to gain practical experience alongside their four-year academic qualification.
