Union Minister launches draft of National Credit Framework(NCrF) for public consultation

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister launches draft of National Credit Framework(NCrF) for public consultation” published in PIB on 19th October 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship have launched the draft of the National Credit Framework(NCrF) for public consultation.

What is the Draft National Credit Framework(NCrF)?

NCrF has been developed to enable the integration of academic and vocational domains to ensure flexibility and mobility between the two

It aims to formulate a unified credit accumulation and transfer for general and vocational studies, and from school to higher education.

It will be launched as a part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates that there should be “no hard separations” between vocational and academic streams.

The NCrF will be operationalised through the Academic Bank of Credits(ABC).

Aadhaar will be used for student registration, and each candidate will be assigned an academic bank account number, where degrees and credits will be accumulated.

What are the proposed benefits of NCrF?

Students: NCrF will ensure flexibility in the duration of study/courses through provisions of multiple entries and exit/work options as well as pave the path for creditisation of all learning hours, including academic, vocational and experiential learning. It will also give the provision for lifelong learning – anytime anywhere learning.

Institutions: NCrF will bring about a unification of higher education institutions to promote multidisciplinary education, creating a diverse and rich student knowledge base.

Government: NCrF is expected to assist the government to increase the enrolment of students, helping to fulfil the national vision of complementing the demographic dividend and transforming India into the Skill Capital of the World. 

Industry: NCrF will allow students to attain NSQF-approved foundational skills developed by industry and be more employable. The provision of micro-credentials will allow integration of quick educational upgradation/up-skilling.