The Critique of Bucket System in Telangana Undergraduate Education highlights significant concerns raised by subject experts regarding the current structure of undergraduate programs in the state. Introduced in 2021, the bucket system allows students to select their subjects from a predefined list of categories. However, experts argue that this flexibility has led to imbalances in student enrollment across various disciplines, disproportionately favoring popular fields like computer science while leaving less sought-after subjects, particularly in the arts, struggling to attract students.
Issues with the Bucket System
During a recent meeting of the BSc Science syllabus revision committee, organized by the Telangana Council of Higher Education, experts emphasized the need to reconsider the effectiveness of the bucket system. They proposed a return to a more traditional curriculum where students would follow fixed subject combinations—such as BSc in Botany, Zoology, and Chemistry or BA in History, Political Science, and Public Administration. This approach, they argue, would create a more balanced and equitable enrollment scenario.
Enrollment Imbalances
The current bucket system allows students to choose from four categories, or “buckets,” within their faculty. While this flexibility may seem beneficial, it has resulted in significant enrollment discrepancies. For instance, courses in computer science are overflowing with students, while many arts subjects are left with inadequate enrollment. Experts recommend capping seat intake to 60 per program to help mitigate these imbalances and ensure that all courses receive fair representation.
Concerns About Subject Duplication
Another critical issue with the bucket system is the repetition of subjects. For example, both “Bio-Chemistry” and “Biological Chemistry” are offered under different buckets, causing confusion among students. Similarly, the subject of food and nutrition is available under multiple titles, despite sharing similar syllabi. Experts advocate for a streamlined approach, suggesting that only distinct subjects be retained to reduce redundancy and improve clarity in academic offerings.
Looking Ahead
As part of the upcoming academic year 2025-26, several new BSc programs have been proposed, including:
- Computational Pharmaco Chemistry
- Analytical Instrumentation
- AstroPhysics
- Forestry
- Cyber Security
- Forensic Science
In conclusion, the critique of the bucket system in Telangana undergraduate education underscores the urgent need for reform. For more insights into changes in higher education in Telangana, visit Hans Bharat.
