UGC flags delay, non-compliance in granting college autonomy; asks universities to implement norms

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has flagged delays and non-compliance by several universities in processing applications from affiliated colleges seeking autonomous status. The commission has issued a directive asking affiliated universities to implement the UGC conferment of autonomous status upon colleges and measures for the maintenance of standards in autonomous colleges regulations, 2023.

According to the Commission, some universities have failed to respond within 30 working days on the UGC portal regarding applications for autonomous status. In other cases, there have been delays in issuing the required notification that allows a college to function as an autonomous institution, even after the Commission has conferred the status.

The commission further states that certain universities have been found to restrict the autonomy of autonomous colleges, particularly in areas such as syllabus design, introduction of new courses, and development of assessment methods for evaluating students’ performance, despite the provisions laid out in the Regulations.

Commission urges adherence to autonomy regulations

The Commission has further observed that some universities have been asking colleges to sign memoranda of understanding or agreements containing terms that contradict the UGC’s regulatory framework. Such actions are in violation of the UGC’s 2023 Regulations, which outline the responsibilities of affiliating universities in facilitating the autonomous functioning of colleges.

“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 & spirit,” the official notice said.