DU to Grant Autonomy to Affiliated Colleges, Forms Committee

Delhi University has formed a committee for its affiliated colleges which are seeking autonomy. The idea came from the decision of Central government which planned to grant autonomy to top performing institutes. For this purpose, the government also announced reforms in University Grants Commission or UGC.

Various reputed colleges affiliated to Delhi University like Ramjas, St.Stephens, Hansraj College, Shri Ram College of Commerce and other institutes which are run by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee had approached the Ministry of Human Resource and Development and Delhi University for decision-making powers and autonomy status.

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In the Union Budget 2017, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced that more autonomy would be given to colleges based on their performance. Therefore, Delhi University has formed a committee to study proposals which are submitted by various affiliated colleges seeking autonomy.

One of the officials indicated that even though these colleges will be granted autonomy, it means that they do not have powers to award degrees. The colleges will have the power to award degrees only if they get deemed varsity status.

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He further added that the committee is inviting applications from the colleges seeking autonomy status. The committee will study the proposals and grant autonomy status only to top performing institutes. The colleges need to get ‘A’ grade from National Assessment and Accreditation Council or NAAC for three consecutive times to be eligible for autonomy status.

Apart from ‘A’ grade, the colleges need to have proper infrastructure, student-faculty ratio and maintain the quality of education.