Implementation and Impact of the National Credit Framework (NCrF)

The Government, aligning with NEP 2020, has approved the National Credit Framework (NCrF) to creditise learning across elementary to higher and skill education. As per AISHE 2023‑24, over 700 universities and 7,500 affiliated colleges have adopted NCrF. The UGC’s SOP for operationalising NCrF permits up to 50 % of programme credits to be earned from skill‑based courses. AICTE’s Approval Process Handbook 2023‑27 sets entry norms under NCrF, allowing 10+2 ITI students admission to second‑year diploma programmes and lateral entry to third year for holders of a 2‑year UG diploma (NCrF Level 5.0). NCVET has issued RPL guidelines to award credits based on industry‑relevant assessments. Consequently, the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education rose from 23.7 % (2014‑15) to 30 % (2023‑24), with female GER increasing from 22.9 % to 31.2 % and total enrolment growing from 3.42 crore to 4.50 crore.