In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which underscores the importance of equipping learners with vital life skills for their holistic development, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has rolled out the curriculum and guidelines for Life Skills 2.0 (Jeevan Kaushal) targeting undergraduate students.
This initiative aims to empower students to unlock their full potential and cultivate a sense of social responsibility. The life skills curriculum, initially crafted by UGC in 2019, encompassed four modules: Communication Skills, Professional Skills, Leadership and Management Skills, and Universal Human Values.
Expanding upon this framework, UGC has introduced additional modules such as Digital Literacy and Social Media, Digital Ethics and Cyber Security, Verbal and Non-verbal Communication, Cognitive and Non-cognitive Skills, Managing Personal Finance, and Constitutional Values, Justice, and Human Rights.
Acknowledging the diverse contexts of various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the revised curriculum is designed to be flexible. It delineates the objectives, learning outcomes, and activities for each course in a student-centered manner. The practical approach of the curriculum integrates methods such as role-playing, audio-video creation, individual and group activities, case studies, demonstrations, observations, and e-learning resources.
The curriculum categorizes life skills into three fundamental categories that complement, supplement, and reinforce one another:
Social or Interpersonal Skills: Communication, Assertiveness, Cooperation, and Empathy.
Creative/Thinking Skills: Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, Decision-Making, and Self-Awareness.
Emotional Skills: Managing Stress and Emotions, and Resisting Peer Pressure.
Broadly, life skills are classified into four key areas:
Communication Skills
Professional Skills
Leadership and Management Skills
Universal Human Values
These skills are indispensable for success in personal, social, and professional spheres, enriched with Universal Human and Constitutional Values, Justice, and Human Rights.
Note For Faculty Members:
The four Life Skills (Jeevan Kaushal) courses are structured to equip graduate learners with the abilities to navigate their personal, interpersonal, and professional lives comprehensively, irrespective of their field of study.
Each course carries 2 credits, totalling 8 credits for the entire curriculum. These courses are akin to 'foundational courses' and are offered across disciplines.
Students must fulfil the credit requirements for each course, whether taken independently as 2-credit courses in individual semesters or in pairs. The credit load for these courses should not exceed 4 in a single semester (i.e., two courses at a time).
Qualified faculty members with appropriate credentials and pedagogical skills should be engaged to teach these courses. HEIs are responsible for recruiting competent faculty members.
The courses can be delivered both online and in person, ensuring students have access to the necessary opportunities and environments to acquire these skills.
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