UGC - An Overview, List of Recognised Universities, Roles & Functions

In 1952, the Union Government decided to assign the responsibility of allocation of grant-in-aid from public funds to Central Universities in India and other higher learning institutes and universities to a separate body. Therefore, the union government had come up with an idea of formulating UGC (University Grants Commission). On December 28, 1953, late Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who was the then Minister of Education, Natural Resources, and Scientific Research inaugurated UGC. However, UGC was formally established in the year 1956 through the Act of Parliament for the coordination and maintenance of standards of university education in India.

Professor DP Singh is the present Chairman of UGC and Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan is the Vice Chairperson. Apart from Chairman and Vice-Chairman, UGC comprises of nine members who are professionals in the field of higher education. At present, 874 central, state, deemed, and private universities are recognised by UGC in India.

Importance of UGC Recognition for Universities

UGC recognition is mandatory for universities and colleges, both public and private to run courses and enrol students. For instance, universities are not allowed to use the name 'University' other than a university that is established under a Provincial Act/ Central Act/ State Act. In order to secure UGC recognition, the university must undergo an inspection conducted by an expert panel constituted or designated by the UGC. If the universities do not comply with the norms of UGC, the expert panel will cancel or do not grant UGC recognition. The inspection process of UGC is quite intense, as every detail with regard to the functioning of the institute at various levels will be scrutinised.

For public universities, UGC recognition is mandatory to be eligible for financial grants. Therefore, these universities must comply with the norms prescribed by UGC from time to time. UGC will also grant deemed university status to some of the institutes if they comply with rules and regulations of UGC.

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Importance of UGC Recognition for Students

UGC recognition of a university will help students to check the validity of the degree awarded by the university. After the inspection process, UGC will publish the detailed report of the inspection of a particular university on its official website. Through this report, students can figure out the quality of education that is being offered in universities. UGC will publish a list of fake universities in India, which are functioning without UGC recognition. The list of fake universities will abstain students from taking up courses in such universities.

Duties/ Functions of UGC

The major duties/ responsibilities/ functions of UGC are as follows –

• For the development of universities and colleges in India, UGC grants funds from its own resources.
• UGC advises the central and state governments on the matters pertaining to disbursal of grants/ funds to universities out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
• UGC also advises different authorities of higher education on the establishment of a new university or seeking permission to expand the existing university.
• UGC collects information on university education system in India and compares the same with the education system in other countries.
• UGC seeks information from universities time to time regarding compliance with norms. It is the responsibility of universities under the ambit to UGC to follow the rules/ guidelines specified by the commission.
• UGC initiates the process of conducting UGC NET/ JRF through National Testing Agency (NTA).
• UGC monitors its 24-hour educational channel ‘Vyas’ through which it imparts education to students from various streams.
• UGC scrutinises the proposals from universities seeking approval for new courses and grants the approval for the same.

UGC Mandatory Assessment and Accreditation

All the UGC-recognised institutes must be accredited by the Accreditation Agency after two graduating batches. These institutes must apply for accreditation within six months after the completion of two graduating batches. The accreditation of the institute will be valid for five years.

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List of UGC Recognised Universities in India

Students can check the list of UGC recognized universities in India here. The list includes central, state, deemed, and private universities –

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