University Grant Commission (UGC) has granted 62 Universities full autonomy. The Commission took the decision in a meeting held on Tuesday. The approved Universities now hold the authority to determine their own admission process, fee structure, curriculum, opening off-campus centers, admit foreign students, recruiting teachers, etc.
The autonomy has been given to those universities which maintain the high standard of excellence. These universities were granted more than 3.6 rating by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. In all, full autonomy has been provided to 5 central universities, 21 state universities, 26 private universities, and 10 colleges.
Prakash Javadekar, Union Ministry MHRD, took to Twitter to inform the decision. He explained that though the universities will have the freedom to make the decisions but will remain under the preview of UGC.
The list of Higher Educational Institutions which have been granted autonomy by UGC is as below:
CATEGORIZATION OF UNIVERSITIES AS PER UGC REGULATIONS ON GRADED AUTONOMY
| Type of Universities | Category I | Category II | Total |
| Central Universities | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| State Universities | 12 | 9 | 21 |
| Deemed Universities | 11 | 13 | 24 |
| Private Universities | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Autonomous colleges | 8 | ||
| Total | 25 | 27 | 60 |
UNIVERSITIES FOR GRANT OF GRADED AUTONOMY
CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES
| S.No. | Name of the University | NAAC Score | Category under the Regulations |
| 1. | Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi | 3.77 | I |
| 2. | University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad | 3.72 | I |
| 3. | Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi | 3.41 | II |
| 4. | Aligarh Muslim University , Aligarh | 3.35 | II |
| 5 | The English and Foreign Languages University, Telengana | 3.26 | II |
STATE UNIVERSITIES
| S.No. | Name of the University | NAAC Score | Category under the Regulations |
| 1. | Jadavpur University, Jadavpur, Kolkata | 3.68 | I |
| 2. | Algappa University, Karaikudi | 3.64 | I |
| 3. | NALSAR University of Law, Telangana | 3.60 | I |
| 4. | SavitribaiPhule Pune University, Pune | 3.60 | I |
| 5. | Andhra University, Visakhapatnam | 3.60 | I |
| 6. | National Law University Delhi, Dwarka | 3.59 | I |
| 7. | Utkal University, Bhubaneswar | 3.53 | I |
| 8. | Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra | 3.52 | I |
| 9. | Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati | 3.52 | I |
| 10 | Osmania University, Hyderabad | 3.52 | I |
| 11. | Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar | 3.51 | I |
| 12. | University of Jammu, Jammu | 3.51 | I |
| 13. | University of Mysore, Mysuru | 3.47 | II |
| 14. | Anna University, Chennai | 3.46 | II |
| 15. | Punjab University, Chandigarh | 3.35 | II |
| 16. | Kakatiya University, Warangal | 3.35 | II |
| 17. | Punjabi University, Patiala | 3.34 | II |
| 18. | Rajiv Gandhi University of Law, Patiala | 3.32 | II |
| 19. | National Law University Odisha, Cuttack | 3.32 | II |
| 20. | University of Madras, Chennai | 3.32 | II |
| 21. | Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar | 3.28 | II |
INSTITUTIONS DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITIES (Category I)
| S. No. | Name of the Institution Deemed to be University | NAAC Score | Category |
| 1 | Homi Bhabha National Institute Mumbai, Maharashtra.
|
A+ (3.53) 11.05.2015 to 10.05.2020 |
I |
| 2 | Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. | A +(3.71) 15.11.2015 to 14.11.2020 |
I |
| 3 | Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) Visakhapatnam, AP. | A +(3.53) 28.03.2017 to 27.03.2022 |
I |
| 4 | Narsee Monjee Institute of Studies Mumbai, Maharashtra. | A +(3.59) 12.09.2017 to 11.09.2024 |
I |
| 5 | Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute Chennai, Tamil Nadu. | A +(3.62) 24.09.2014 to 23.09.2019 |
I |
| 6 | Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Pune, Maharashtra | A +(3.62) 03.03.2015 to 02.03.2020 |
I |
| 7 | Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA)Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
|
A +(3.54) 11.05.2015 to 10.05.2020 |
I |
| 8 | Symbiosis International Pune, Maharashtra.
|
A +(3.58) 19.01.2016 to 18.01.2021 |
I |
| 9 | Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
|
A ++(3.77) 27.11.2017 to 26.11.2022 |
I |
| 10 | Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences Wardha, Maharashtra. | A +(3.53) 30.10.2017 to 29.10.2024 |
I |
| 11 | Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, Maharashtra. | A ++(3.89) 19.02.2016 to 18.02.2021 |
I |
INSTITUTIONS DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITIES (Category II)
| S. No. | Name of the Institution Deemed to be University | NAAC Score | Category |
| 1 | TERI School of Advanced Studies New Delhi. | A (3.26) 23.03.2013 to 22.03.2018 |
II |
| 2 | Jain University Bangalore, Karnataka. | A (3.31) 19.07.2017 to 18.07.2022 |
II |
| 3 | Vellore Institute of Technology Vellore, Tamil Nadu.
|
A (3.42) 03.03.2015 to 02.03.2020 |
II |
| 4 | Manipal Academy of Higher Education | A (3.30) 11.07.2016 to 10.07.2021 |
II |
| 5 | KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research Belgaum,Karnataka. | A (3.34) 19.01.2016 to 18.01.2021 |
II |
| 6 | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | A (3.40) 24.09.2014 to 23.09.2019 |
II |
| 7 | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Bhubaneswar, Odisha. | A (3.48) 25.05.2016 to 24.05.2021 |
II |
| 8 | JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research Mysore, Karnataka. | A (3.34) 08.07.2013 to 07.07.2018 |
II |
| 9 | ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana. | A (3.43) 26.05.2015 to 25.05.2020 |
II |
| 10 | Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute Chennai, Tamil Nadu. | A (3.31) 02.12.2016 to 01.12.202 |
II |
| 11 | Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. | A (3.40) 10.12.2014 to 09.12.2019 |
II |
| 12 | The Indian Law Institute New Delhi.
|
A (3.35) 28.03.2017 to 27.03.2022 |
II |
| 13 | Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
|
A (3.35) 16.11.2015 to 15.11.2020 |
II |
PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES
| S. No. | Name of the Private University | NAAC Score | Category |
| 1 | O.P. Jindal Global University Sonipat, Haryana.
|
A (3.26) 17.03.2016 to 16.03.2021 |
II |
| 2 | Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University Gandhinagar, Gujarat. | A (3.39) 16.12.2016 to 15.12.2021 |
II |
LIST OF COLLEGES CONFERRED AUTONOMOUS STATUS BY UGC
| S. No | Name of the College & affiliating University |
| 1 | Yashvantrao Chavan Institute of Science, Satara, 533, Sadar Bazar, Satara Maharashtra-415 001 affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur |
| 2 | Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar College of Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Kalavakkam-603 110 (Tamilnadu) affiliated to Anna University, Chennai |
| 3 | G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology & Science (For Women), 8-1-297/2/I, Shaikpet, Hyderabad-500 104 Telangana affiliated to JNTU Hyderabad, Telangana |
| 4 | Vivekanand College, 2130/E, Tarabai Park, Kolhapur-416 003 (Maharastra) affiliated to Shivaji University, Kolhapur |
| 5 | Sri Vasavi Engineering College, Pedatadepalli, Tadepalligudem-534 101 (West Godavari Dist.,) (Andhra Pradesh) affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada |
| 6 | Bonam Venkata Chalamayya Engineering College, Odalarevu-553 210,Allavaram Mandal, East Godavari Dist., Andhra Pradesh affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh |
| 7 | Jai Hind College Basantsing Institute of Science & J.T. Lalvani College of Commerce, 23-24 Backbay Reclamation, A-Road, Churchgate, Mumbai-400 020 affiliated to University of Mumbai, Mumbai-400 032 |
| 8 | Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s Mithibai College of Arts, Chauhan Institute of Amrutben Jivanlal College of Commerce and Economics, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai-400 056 affiliated to University of Mumbai |
The central universities which have been granted autonomy are Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), University of Hyderabad, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), and English and Foreign Languages University.
The state universities added to the list are Andhra University, Jadavpur University, Utlak University, Guru Nanak Dev University, National University of Law, University of Madras, Jammu University, Anna University, Algappa University, Kurukshetra University, Osmania University, University of Mysore, Punjab University, etc.
The 10 lucky private colleges that have been given the autonomy are Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, OP Jindal Global University, among others.
The minister also explained that these universities will have the freedom to sign academic collaborations with world’s top universities. These Universities even have the authority to pay the faculty beyond recommends of the Seventh Pay Commission. This can be the major change which will allow universities to recruit the best teachers. However, the university will have to certify the degree they will be awarded to the students. The colleges now holds quite a lot of authority but do not possess degree awarding power.
Though the move seems lucrative, the Academics for Action and Development seems against it. The Academic for Action and Development represents the teachers of Delhi University and as per it, the decision has been taken to privatize the public funded institutes.
The organization claims that the freedom is, in fact, a trap for self-destruction because the currently running courses will be decimated. It also believes that this decision will impact Schedule Case, Schedule Tribe, and Other Backward Classes communities adversely. Even the teachers currently working might be impacted.
What do you think is just? Is UGC right in granting full autonomy to the institutes or will it lead to degrading of the existing courses and exploitation of the students and faculty? Let us know in the comment section below.
