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Nepal introduces academic credit transfer system

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Nepal's University Grants Commission has introduced a new system for transferring academic credits between universities.
  • The Academic Credit Bank Establishment and Operation Directive 2026 aims to standardize credit storage and transfer, making the process more transparent.
  • This system is expected to benefit students who need to switch institutions or resume studies, addressing past inconsistencies in credit transfer.

Students in Nepal can now transfer academic credits between universities, thanks to a new system introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The "Academic Credit Bank Establishment and Operation Directive 2026" sets common standards for storing and transferring credits earned at higher education institutions, both within Nepal and abroad.

Universities can carry out credit transfers. The directive has been issued to establish a credit bank, but much work remains before the bank can be fully operational.

— Kedar Prasad AcharyaDirector at the UGC, explaining the current status of the credit bank.

The directive, made public on Friday, aims to create a more transparent and consistent credit transfer process. "Universities can carry out credit transfers. The directive has been issued to establish a credit bank, but much work remains before the bank can be fully operational," said Kedar Prasad Acharya, director at the UGC. He added that it will take some time to fully implement.

The UGC plans to establish the Academic Credit Bank itself, which will store credits on a single digital platform. Students can later request transfers to another institution or program. While Nepali universities have allowed credit transfers previously, a formal, recognized system across all institutions was lacking. The UGC decided in April to create a national framework, leading to the directive.

It will take some time.

— Kedar Prasad AcharyaDirector at the UGC, on the timeline for full operationalization.

Former UGC chair Devaraj Adhikari highlighted the difficulties caused by the absence of clear rules. "Standards have been set to make credit transfer easier by bringing uniformity," he said. The system is particularly beneficial for students returning to Nepal from abroad, those needing to change universities, or individuals resuming higher education while working.

Standards have been set to make credit transfer easier by bringing uniformity.

— Devaraj AdhikariFormer UGC chair, commenting on the new directive's purpose.

The need for a unified system became apparent after a Nepali student's death in India in February 2025. Following the incident, students planned to discontinue their studies, and various Nepali universities offered admission via credit transfer but used different criteria. Acharya stated the new directive aims to eliminate such inconsistencies, providing a uniform basis for universities to implement through their own academic rules.

Universities can work according to the directive.

— Devaraj AdhikariFormer UGC chair, on the implementation of the new rules.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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