University Grants Commission (India)

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Statutory body in India responsible for coordinating, determining, and maintaining standards of higher education.

University Grants Commission

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Formed	1956
Dissolved
Type
Jurisdiction	Government of India
Status
Headquarters	New Delhi, India

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is a statutory body set up by the Government of India in accordance with the UGC Act, 1956, under the Ministry of Education. The UGC is charged with coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards of higher education in India. It provides recognition to universities in India and disburses funds to such recognized universities and colleges.

History

The UGC was formally established in 1956, although its origins can be traced back to the recommendations of the Sargent Report in 1944. The report emphasized the need for a central body to oversee the development of higher education in India. The UGC was initially set up in 1953 to oversee the work of the three central universities of Aligarh, Delhi, and Banaras Hindu University.

Functions

The primary functions of the UGC include:

• Promoting and coordinating university education.
• Determining and maintaining standards of teaching, examination, and research in universities.
• Framing regulations on minimum standards of education.
• Monitoring developments in the field of collegiate and university education; disbursing grants to the universities and colleges.
• Serving as a vital link between the Union and state governments and institutions of higher learning.
• Advising the central and state governments on the measures necessary for the improvement of university education.

Organizational Structure

The UGC is headquartered in New Delhi and has six regional centers:

• Pune
• Hyderabad
• Kolkata
• Bhopal
• Guwahati
• Bangalore

Funding

The UGC is responsible for disbursing grants to universities and colleges. It allocates funds for various schemes and programs aimed at improving the quality of higher education in India. The funding is provided for infrastructure development, research projects, faculty development, and student scholarships.

Accreditation and Recognition

The UGC grants recognition to universities in India, which is a prerequisite for receiving central government funds. It also oversees the accreditation process through the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and other bodies.

Reforms and Initiatives

The UGC has undertaken several reforms and initiatives to improve the quality of higher education in India. These include the introduction of the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), the establishment of Inter-University Centres (IUCs), and the promotion of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) through the SWAYAM platform.

Criticism and Controversies

The UGC has faced criticism over the years for various reasons, including bureaucratic inefficiency, lack of transparency, and issues related to the allocation of funds. There have also been calls for its restructuring or replacement with a more efficient body.

See also

• National Assessment and Accreditation Council
• All India Council for Technical Education
• National Board of Accreditation
• Ministry of Education (India)
• Higher education in India

Related Pages

• List of universities in India
• Education in India
• National Institutional Ranking Framework
• Indian Institutes of Technology
• Indian Institutes of Management