NEP Milestone: First NEP Cohort in Year Three

Pioneering academic transformation, St. Xavier’s College stands among the autonomous institutions affiliated with the University of Mumbai. Since the academic year 2023-2024, St. Xavier’s College has initiated the NEP curriculum framework for its students. It is with pride we state that St. Xavier’s has executed each phase of the NEP on time.

In the year 2024-2025, our first NEP‑aligned postgraduate cohort batch graduated, marking a key milestone in the implementation journey of the policy. In the current academic year 2025-2026, the first undergraduate cohort has progressed to the third year of their studies, which includes experience-based learning and credit-bearing internships across various programmes. Eligible students who wish to continue will be able to pursue a fourth year (2026-2027) in their chosen field of study for an Honours programme.

The students currently studying under the NEP curriculum have provided positive feedback for the same.  

"As a third-year student, I see NEP not just as a policy but as a reminder that education is meant to be explored, not endured."

– Evlyn Giju (TYBMM)

"I think the NEP structure has really facilitated us, as students, to learn more outside of our core structure. I would never have imagined studying subjects like IT and Sociology while pursuing BMS. It has helped me gain skills I would not have otherwise."

– Alisha D’Souza (TYBMS)

Implementing the NEP was not an easy task for autonomous colleges. While non-autonomous colleges were guided by the University-appointed NEP Implementation Cell, autonomous colleges were tasked with carrying out the process independently. The former Principal of St. Xavier’s College, Dr. Rajendra Shinde, helped form a 20-member core group to plan and implement the NEP 2020 policy. The team comprised the Vice Chancellor along with a mix of senior and new faculty members.

To emphasise the importance of regional languages, Marathi was reintroduced after four decades as an optional language to study under AEC. This decision, taken in line with the NEP, garnered significant interest among students.

In an exclusive interview with the Free Press Journal, former Principal Dr. Rajendra Shinde spoke about an appraisal in the fee structure to account for the new curriculum introduced due to NEP. He also highlighted the introduction of skill-based programmes to be at par with foreign universities. With the status of an empowered autonomous institution, the next step for St Xavier’s College under the NEP would be for the college to attain the status to grant degrees.