What is a Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)?

In 2020, an innovative approach to learning prompted the government to introduce significant changes in the National Education Policy. To maximize skill-based learning and improve learning outcomes, the NEP 2020 modified the traditional teaching-learning system to create the Choice Based Credit System.

What is the Meaning of a Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)?

The choice-based credit system for higher education redefines the learning approach and makes it more student-centric. The choice-based credit system is a flexible teaching-learning system that offers students the freedom to opt for different courses and chart their learning journey. Students can choose from a list of elective, core, and soft skill courses every semester. Evaluation in a choice-based credit system is based on grading.

Categories of Courses in Choice-Based Credit System

1. Core Courses – Core courses are the subjects that all students have to study compulsorily. These are the core subjects they need to meet the program’s requirements in the discipline they are pursuing.
2. Elective Courses – The students choose elective courses to add to their core subject knowledge. Students can choose from –
   1. Core Discipline Related Courses – These are subjects related to the core subjects.
   2. Generic Elective – General subjects can be studied to improve general skills, such as language courses.
   3. Project – Projects are a popular choice of elective among students who wish to gain experience and industry exposure.
   4. Ability Enhancement Courses – Ability enhancement courses are helpful to gain additional skills such as programming, coding, or courses related to MS office products.
   5. Skill Enhancement Courses – Skill enhancing electives can be related to life skills, sports or arts. It includes courses like singing, dancing, football, hockey etc.
3. Soft Skill Courses – Soft skills include courses related to personality development, communication skills, writing skills, and etiquette.

Features of CBCS

Here are some of the noteworthy features of the choice-based credit system –

• Credit Transfer – If a student chooses to change their branch of study, their credits are transferred.
• Grading System – Evaluation in the choice-based credit system in higher education follows grades instead of marks.
• Minimizes the Stigma – By moving to a grading system, CBCS helps reduce the stigma of failure. The CBCS marking scheme uses alphabets or grades instead of marks to change the culture of toppers and failures.
• Student Mobility – The CBCS helps mobilize students and improves inter-disciplinary interaction. It also enables students to experience exchange programs in other institutions across India and some cases, even across the globe.

Improves Employability – Potential employers find assessing a student’s academic accomplishments easier based on the choice-based credit system.

Advantages of the CBCS system

1. Inter/Multi-Disciplinary Course – Students have the freedom to choose inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary courses at the graduation level. It enables students to develop various peripheral skills that complement their core knowledge and improves their job prospects.
2. Mentorship – Mentors are assigned to students to help them select courses based on their IQ level. Mentors can offer sound advice to students and help them make the right choices to carve out a career that suits their skills.
3. Promotes Student Interaction – The choice-based credit system encourages group work, community involvement and research. Interaction among students gives them a chance to learn from each other and builds a sense of belonging.
4. The Walk-in/Walk-out Approach – Learners can earn a degree or certification through multiple entry and exit approach. It enables those with jobs to pursue higher education with ease.
5. Flexibility – Students can choose courses with greater freedom and flexibility
6. Course Levels – Students may choose to pursue basic or advanced level courses
7. Job Oriented Skills – Learners can gain job-oriented skills. It prepares them to compete in the corporate sector or find lucrative government jobs by honing their skills.
8. Customized Pace of Learning – Students are free to progress at their own comfortable pace. Highly motivated students can go faster and gain extra credits every semester. In contrast, others can take their time and learn at their own pace.

Higher education serves as a launchpad for learners to gain their place. Whether they choose to take a job or start a business, their education should prepare them for challenges. A choice-based credit system in higher education allows learners to get more out of their learning. It enables them to build a bouquet of skills that makes them valuable assets in any organization.

Since the NEP 2020 was announced, several higher education institutions have revamped their grading systems and credit systems to conform to CBCS. The need of the hour is that educational institutions must adopt the right technology to create a flexible learning environment for their students. CollPoll offers NEP compliant Academic Management System (AMS) and help institutions adopt Choice based credit system (CBCS) quickly and effectively.

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