UGC asks universities to implement autonomous college regulations, flags non-compliance

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has requested the affiliating universities to implement the UGC Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges Regulations 2023.

The new rules were notified on April 3, 2023. As per the regulation, the UGC has limited the role of the university and allowed the affiliated and constituent colleges to apply directly for administrative autonomy.

The statutory body has observed that several universities have not been responding on the UGC portal in the processing of the application of the affiliated colleges for grant of autonomous status within the 30 working days.

It said that there is also a delay in issuing notification within 30 days after the autonomous status is awarded to the affiliating college by commission.

The regulations allowed the autonomous colleges to frame their own syllabi and admission policies, revise the courses and launch new programmes. However, some universities have not been following regulations and restrict complete autonomy to the autonomous colleges for designing syllabus and methods of assessment, introducing new courses, the UGC said.

Some universities have also asked colleges to sign an agreement with terms and conditions which is against the UGC regulations.

“The affiliating universities are requested to implement the University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations, 2023 in letter and spirit,” the latest notification read.

“Your support and contribution will go a long way in achieving the objectives of autonomy of colleges to enhance quality of higher education in the country,” it added.