The National Education Policy (NEP 2020) became operational from July 2020 to transform India into a “Global Knowledge Superpower” and “Skill Hub”. In higher education sector, NEP 2020 major recommendations are introduction of four-year undergraduate honours program with or without research [FYUGP], one year PG programme only and inclusion of one year research for a two-year PG programme. National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) aims at to structure these programs in a defined framework of level based qualifications in the Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) through the revision of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) with National Credit Framework (NCrF). The NHEQF is an instrument for the development, classification, and recognition of qualifications acquired in the higher educational setup (offline and online) along a continuum of NHEQF levels from 4.5 to 8, with levels 1 to 4 obtained in school education in the pattern of 5+3+3+4 replacing the existing 10+2 system. Therefore, an aspirant of higher education should know and understand the diversity of programmes available in light of the set of criteria for specified levels of learning located within each NHEQF Level. For example, the first three years of enrolment in any HEI may enable a learner for a certificate, diploma or a bachelor’s degree depending upon the learner’s choice and interests. Therefore, knowing them one by one is essential for the awareness and understanding of our learning community. First Year- Level 4.5: Undergraduate Certificate The first year (first two semesters) of the undergraduate programme, followed by an exit with additional 4-credit skills-enhancement course will enable a learner to achieve a certificate level with features of technical, theoretical concepts, specialized knowledge and skills for undertaking skilled or paraprofessional work and/or to pursue further study/learning at higher levels. Second Year- Level 5.0: Undergraduate Diploma The first two years (first four semesters) of the undergraduate programme, followed by an exit with additional 4-credit skills enhancement course will enable a learner to apply specialized knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and/or to pursue further learning/study at higher levels. Third Year- Level 5.5: Bachelor’s degree The successful completion of first three years (Six semesters) of the four-year undergraduate programme will lead to a bachelor’s degree with features of a broad and coherent body of knowledge and skills in a range of contexts to undertake professional work and/or for further learning at subsequent higher levels in any HEI. Fourth Year - Level 6.0: Bachelor’s degree (Honours) The successful completion of four years (eight semesters) of the study in a single or across the HEIs will lead to a Bachelor’s degree (Honours) with features of a plethora of knowledge in a specific context to undertake professional work and for research and further learning at subsequent higher levels in any HEI. The NHEQF level at 4^th Year can have three modes depending upon the learner choice and HEI type. Mode 1: Bachelor’s degree (Honours with Research): This qualification level aims to prepare individuals who can apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional work and apply specialized knowledge and skills for research and scholarship by applying directly for a PhD programme relating to the chosen field(s) of learning. Mode 2: Bachelor’s degree (Honours without Research): This qualification level aims to prepare individuals who can apply an advanced body of course knowledge in a range of contexts and apply specialized knowledge and skills for further learning relating to the chosen field(s) of learning at subsequent higher levels in any HEI. Mode 3: Post-Graduate Diploma: It offers a programme duration of one year (two semesters) for those who exit after successful completion of the first year (two semesters) of the 2-year master’s programme to apply a body of advanced knowledge and skills to undertake professional or highly skilled work and/or further learning in any HEI. Fifth Year: Master’s degree (1 year/2 semesters of study) - Level 6.5 The Master’s degree qualifies students who can apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice, research, and scholarship and as a pathway for further learning and better job placement. This NHEQF level operates through two different modes depending upon the learner’s previous qualification and choice of study. Mode 1: Master’s degree with a programme duration of two years (four semesters) after obtaining a 3- year Bachelor’s degree of NHEQF level 5.5. Mode 2: Master’s degree with a programme duration of only one year (two semesters) after obtaining a 4 -year Bachelor’s degree (Honours/ Honours with Research) of NHEQF level 6.0. Besides an advanced Master’s degree with duration of 2 years (4 semesters of study) of NHEQF Level 7.0 for a learner who has already obtained a 4-year Bachelor’s degree. (e.g. Honour’s/B.E./B.Tech. etc.) with the option of completing the second year entirely through research mode. Graduates with this highest academic qualification level are expected to possess and demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills for research, and/or professional practice and/or for further learning with the ability to apply the established principles and theories. Beyond Fourth or Fifth Year is the NHEQF Level 8.0 with attributes of Doctoral Degree - PhD in any discipline with duration of 3 – 6 years A candidate who has obtained a 1-year/2-semester master's degree programme after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme, a candidate who has four year bachelor’s degree with research (Honours with Research), or a candidate with 2-year/4-semester master’s degree programme after a 3-year bachelor’s degree programme or qualifications declared equivalent to the master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body/HEI is eligible to apply for NHEQF level 8.0.   (The author is Associate Professor of Zoology at Islamia College of Science and Commerce (Autonomous) Srinagar. Feedback: drkatariq@gmail.com)