The University Grants Commission, the nodal education body of the country, on Wednesday, 22 February 2017, passed a new set of regulations relating to proposed 20 world-class institutes in the country. After UGC clearing the final draft for the world-class university will now go for clearance in Cabinet Ministry.
The Commission also agreed to review the status of deemed universities, that were placed in category-B by Tandon Committee appointed by Human Resources Development Ministry in 2009.
The Tandon committee was set by former Human Rescues Development Minister, Kapil Sibal in the wake of deterioration of the quality of 126 deemed universities. The committee found that 38 deemed universities, with no substantial contribution to the quality of education, were placed in A-category. Another 44 universities, with several shortcomings and deficiencies, were placed in B-category and the rest of the 44 unworthy universities were placed in C-category.
The HRD ministry wrote to UGC last month and urged them to initiate its inspection process for the B-category universities. An official of UGC said that those universities placed under the B-category were not stripped of their status, but the government has asked not to expand these Universities. If these universities can improve their status, then the government may lift the embargo.
Also Read: UGC Directs All-Central Universities to Review their Curriculum
Present BJP government under PM Modi wants to create 20 world class institutions - 10 public and 10 private sector ones. The government will take up a liberal regulatory framework for these institutes, with greater autonomy and financial grants. These institutes will be known as the Institutes of Eminence and UGC regulations will not hold good into these institutes.