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Education
UGC Retroactively Classifies Bachelor of Computer Application as Science Stream
✍️ Live Law
🗓 12 Aug 2026, 05:33 PM
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The University Grants Commission has issued a retrospective notification classifying the Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) degree under the science stream, affecting curriculum and admission policies.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a retrospective notification that reclassifies the Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) degree under the science stream. The decision, issued in 2024, revises the 2014 UGC guidelines that had previously placed BCA in the arts and commerce category. The move is expected to align the curriculum with the scientific and technical nature of the course.
Under the new classification, universities offering BCA will need to adjust their course structure to meet the science stream requirements, including increased emphasis on mathematics, physics, and laboratory work. The notification also clarifies that admissions criteria and fee structures will be recalibrated to reflect the science designation.
The UGC has stated that the change will not affect students who have already completed their BCA, but it will influence future intake and the recognition of the degree by other academic and professional bodies. Institutions are advised to review their syllabi and seek guidance from the commission to ensure compliance.
The notification comes amid growing calls from industry stakeholders for BCA to be recognized as a technical degree, given its focus on software development, programming, and IT infrastructure. The UGC’s decision is seen as a step toward standardizing computer science-related programs across India.
Under the new classification, universities offering BCA will need to adjust their course structure to meet the science stream requirements, including increased emphasis on mathematics, physics, and laboratory work. The notification also clarifies that admissions criteria and fee structures will be recalibrated to reflect the science designation.
The UGC has stated that the change will not affect students who have already completed their BCA, but it will influence future intake and the recognition of the degree by other academic and professional bodies. Institutions are advised to review their syllabi and seek guidance from the commission to ensure compliance.
The notification comes amid growing calls from industry stakeholders for BCA to be recognized as a technical degree, given its focus on software development, programming, and IT infrastructure. The UGC’s decision is seen as a step toward standardizing computer science-related programs across India.