The Maharashtra Government’s Higher and Technical Education Department has constituted a state-level, nine-member Task Force to review and accelerate the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 across all universities and colleges in the state. The task force was formed through an official Government Resolution (GR) issued on May 31, 2026, and reported by The Indian Express the same day. The committee is expected to submit a progress report within three months of its formation.
The decision comes at a critical time as Maharashtra’s universities are in the midst of transitioning to NEP’s transformational four-year undergraduate degree structure for the 2026-27 academic session. The state government had already issued a GR on April 6, 2026, mandating all public universities and affiliated colleges to adopt the new four-year UG structure. However, inconsistent implementation across institutions has prompted the government to create a dedicated oversight body.
Who Is Heading the Task Force?
Prof. Dr. Nitin Karmalkar, former Vice Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), has been appointed Chairman of the task force. Dr. Karmalkar is one of Maharashtra’s most respected education policy experts and has previously led multiple committees on NEP implementation and public university reform in the state.
Task Force Composition
| Member Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Prof. Dr. Nitin Karmalkar, Former VC, SPPU |
| Vice-Chancellors | Mumbai University, Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Shivaji University |
| Higher Education Officials | Senior officials from the Higher and Technical Education Department |
| Academic Experts | Educationists from the higher education sector |
| Total Members | 9 members |
What Will the Task Force Do? — Full Mandate
The task force has been assigned a wide-ranging mandate covering academic, administrative, and technical challenges in NEP implementation:
- Frame guidelines for the four-year undergraduate degree structure, including Honours and Honours with Research pathways
- Develop clear policies on multiple entry and exit options under NEP 2020
- Standardise rules for credit transfers between courses and institutions
- Create a framework for student migration between universities — currently a major pain point
- Recommend and implement a uniform academic calendar across all state universities and affiliated colleges
- Develop internship structures that are practical and accessible to students from both urban and rural areas
- Recommend PhD admission regulations under the new four-year undergraduate degree framework
- Suggest policies for student support systems and teacher training programmes
- Provide uniform academic and administrative guidance to all higher education institutions in the state
What Has Maharashtra Already Implemented Under NEP 2020?
Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil stated that the state has been at the forefront of NEP implementation. Key reforms already underway include:
- Four-year undergraduate degree programmes (Honours and Honours with Research)
- Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) — tracking student credits digitally
- Major-Minor subject system — students can combine two disciplines
- Indian Knowledge System (IKS) courses — integration of traditional Indian knowledge in the curriculum
- Skill-based education across all affiliated colleges
- Internship programmes as part of degree requirements
Why the Task Force Was Needed
Despite the progress, real-world implementation has been uneven. Challenges flagged by institutions include:
- Inconsistent fee structures across colleges, creating barriers for student migration
- Lack of a uniform academic calendar, causing confusion during counselling and admissions
- Credit transfer norms not clearly defined between universities
- Limited internship infrastructure in smaller cities and rural colleges
- Faculty unfamiliar with the new evaluation and grading frameworks under NEP
Minister Chandrakant Patil’s Statement
“The newly formed task force will provide uniform academic and administrative guidance to educational institutions. The department aims to make higher education in Maharashtra more student-centric, research-oriented, and skill-driven.”
He added that the task force is designed to suggest solutions to difficulties in NEP implementation and make necessary recommendations to the government to accelerate the reform process.
Impact on Students
This development has direct implications for over 35 lakh students enrolled in Maharashtra’s more than 3,500 colleges and multiple state public universities. Key student-level changes to expect once the task force submits its guidelines:
- Clarity on exit certificates and degrees — students leaving after Year 1, 2, or 3 will receive certificates, diplomas, or degrees respectively
- Seamless credit transfer if a student changes college or university
- Better internship matching between colleges and industry
- Clearer PhD eligibility for students completing the four-year UG with research
Three-Month Deadline: The task force is expected to submit its progress report and recommendations within three months, meaning key guidelines could be in place before the start of the 2026-27 academic session in August 2026.
