UGC Approves Regulations Granting Greater Autonomy to Higher Learning Institutes

On January 09, 2018, the University Grants Commission or UGC approved new regulations. UGC framed clear guidelines for granting greater autonomy to higher learning institutes. According to UGC (Categorization of University for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, the grant of greater autonomy to the higher learning institutes will be purely based on accreditation of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

UGC will soon begin the application process from the institutes seeking more autonomy.

As per the new regulations, institutes seeking greater autonomy should have at least 3.5 NAAC score or must have been ranked in the list top 50 institutes in NIRF (National Institutions Ranking Framework) Rankings for two consecutive years. If the institutes satisfy this criterion, they will be placed in Category I. Universities under Category I can launch new courses and departments and UGC approval for the same is not mandatory. These universities will be free from UGC’s control and regular inspections. Based on self-reporting, the performance of these universities will be reviewed. The autonomy status for these colleges will be accorded for a period of ten years.

Universities that come under Category I can also open off-campus centres or constituent units within its geographical jurisdiction. On the other hand, Category I and Category II universities are allowed to offer Open and Distance Learning courses without the approval of UGC.

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The new regulations and greater autonomy will also enable the universities to collaborate with international universities and institutes. According to new regulations, universities with a NAAC score of 3.01 – 3.49 or NIRF rank of 51-100 are also eligible for autonomy. However, these universities will come under Category II. These universities will not have greater autonomy than Category I universities.

Category II universities will be exempted from UGC’s regular inspections. For these universities, UGC’s approval is mandatory for signing MoUs with international universities or institutes. Based on peer group report, the performance of these universities will be reviewed.

Finally, Category III universities/ institutes will not enjoy autonomy and these institutes must follow UGC regulations strictly. UGC’s regular inspections will be applicable to Category III institutes.

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UGC has also approved regulations that permit third-party agencies to accredit higher learning institutes in the country. Apart from NAAC, the government is planning to involve IIMs and IITs in accrediting higher learning institutes.