Although being opposed by some teachers and other lobbies, the government is determined to introduce the semester system in universities across the country.

Government considers it to be a major academic reform step to boost the quality of higher education.

While speaking in the Rajya Sabha, HRD minister Kapil Sibal said that since the universities were independent bodies, a rigid timeline for implementing of the semester system cannot be imposed on them.

He further said that the semester system will increase the depth and breadth of learning for students as the present annual exam system does not account for the regular touch in studies. He expected that the government would be able to persuade the universities to start the semester system from 2011-12.

If the system gets universalized, it will benefit the students to change the universities in the middle of their studies, when required.

Mr. Sibal added that the ministry has been in talk with the 16 new universities to implement the semester system right from their commencement.

While informing that several expert committees has approved the semester system to be efficient, he gave the example of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and the postgraduate level in Delhi University, where the system has worked well.