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What Is a Minor Programme in College: How Does It Work and Differs from a Major Programme

A minor programme allows undergraduate students to study a secondary academic discipline alongside their major. Here is how minors work under the current UG framework.
What Is a Minor Programme in College: How Does It Work and Differs from a Major Programme
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Updated Sep 29, 2026 | 11:02 PM IST
Under the evolving undergraduate education framework, students now have the option to study more than one academic discipline during their bachelor's degree. They are provided with the option to choose a minor programme along with their major programme.
A major programme covers students' primary area of study, while a minor programme helps students to gain structured academic exposure to another discipline.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes multidisciplinary education and greater flexibility in undergraduate programmes. The UGC's undergraduate curriculum and credit framework also provides for major and minor areas of study. However, students should note that the exact structure can differ as per the university.

What Is a Minor Programme?

A minor programme is a secondary field of academic study that can be pursued by students alongside a major programme. For example, a student who is pursuing a major in Economics may be allowed to take a minor in subjects like Mathematics, Psychology, Political Science, or another discipline that is being offered by the respective university.
Unlike an isolated elective subject, a minor programme involves completing a defined set of courses and credits in the secondary discipline. The subjects and credit requirements are decided by the concerned university or institution.

Eligibility for Minor Programme

Students are required to first select their major when enrolling in an undergraduate programme and check whether the institution offers a minor option. Then, they must choose an eligible discipline and complete the required courses or credits alongside their major programme.
Universities may place conditions on who can opt for a particular minor. These can include minimum academic requirements, availability of seats, prerequisite subjects or restrictions based on the student's major.
Generally, students are required to meet specific criteria as per the University. The eligibility criteria differ between universities. Students should note that they do not have to enrol in a separate full-time degree to study a minor programme.

What Should Students Check?

Students who are interested in a minor programme are advised to check their university's academic regulations and programme structure, such as:
  • Which minor subjects are available
  • Number of credits required
  • Eligibility and prerequisite courses
  • Whether seats are limited
  • How the minor appears on the final academic record
  • Whether the minor can be changed after selection
  • Whether completing the minor affects the duration of the degree
It is to be noted that the availability of a minor programme is not identical across all colleges. Therefore, students should rely on the regulations and curriculum published by their own university.
A minor programme provides students with an opportunity to explore an additional discipline along with their primary field. However, its academic structure, credit requirements and recognition within the degree depend on the institution's approved undergraduate framework.

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