While the UGC’s earlier draft on WCUs did not quite impress the Prime Minister’s Office — it is keenly following the ambitious project — the new concept paper is said to have been found to be more “forward looking”. The legislation will also be so worded that it does not lead to rigid bureaucratic controls that stifle quality and creativity and spell out only “what to do” instead of “how to do”.

Why these will be different

• Unitary varsities with all-India entrance exam, not more than 12,000 students

• Fees governed by UGC

• PG, research programmes, select 4-year undergraduate courses

• Curriculum revised every 3 years, semester system

• High monetary incentives to draw quality faculty

• VC with 10-year teaching experience as professor, fixed 5-year term

• Private funding for Chairs, fellowships, scholarships, infrastructure

• Collaboration with national/international varsities/institutes