UGC to evaluate universities based on NEP 2020 to grant autonomy, deemed-university status, other privileges

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has developed an evaluation process to assess the higher educational institutions (HEIs) on the basis of the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP 2020) for granting privileges and entitlements such as deemed-university status, graded autonomy, starting online and distance education.

The score and grades obtained in National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation are taken as criteria to make institutions eligible for certain privileges and entitlements.

In this regard, a two-step evaluation process has been developed and specific parameters have been identified to determine the allocation of points and to evaluate the progress made by the HEIs in implementing the NEP 2020.

Grading of HEIs based on NEP

The higher educational institutions will have to pass a two-step evaluation. In the first step, the institution will have to fulfill the mandatory requirements called “qualifiers” and followed by “quantifiers”, where it will have to reply with “yes” or “no” to a series of questions based on the initiatives taken to implement NEP 2020 and UGC regulations.

UGC Regulations: Eligibility qualifiers

It is mandatory for universities to attain the qualifier benchmarks to become eligible for submission of an application to obtain a privilege or entitlement conferred by the UGC.

1. Recognition under section 2(f) of the UGC Act

2. Registration on the AISHE portal

3. Valid accreditation from NAAC

4. Implementation of UGC guidelines on Public Self-Disclosure

5. Appointment of Ombudsperson and constitution of Students Grievances Redressal Committee (SGRC) in case of a university or deemed to be a university and Constitution of Students Grievances Redressal Committee (SGRC) in case of a college as prescribed in UGC Regulations.

6. Implementation of extant UGC Fee refund policy

7. Constitution of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for matters related to sexual harassment

8. Registration on the portal for Undertaking Transformative Strategies and Actions in Higher Education (UTSAH).

9. Registration on Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) by eligible institutions (Only for Universities and Autonomous Colleges)

10. HEI should not be on any current list of defaulting institutions published by UGC due to failure to comply with the UGC regulations, guidelines, notifications, specific instructions or to provide information solicited by UGC.

11. Timely notification, in accordance with UGC regulations, of autonomous colleges approved by the UGC (Only for an affiliating university).

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Quantifier

The institutes fulfilling the eligibility qualifier will be further evaluated based on a questionnaire. Out of 49 questions, 30 parameters are applicable for all HEIs, 13 parameters for universities and autonomous colleges; and 6 parameters for universities only. Universities and colleges will be assigned points in the following manner.