UGC may lose funding powers

This proposal also aims at strengthening UGC as a regulatory body with improved inspections & audits of institutions and better implementation of its rules and regulations. It says the UGC should be vested with powers to accord degrees to reputed and performing institutes.

The move is being made in view of the changes that have swept through the higher education sector over the last few years the growing number of varsities and colleges in the country. The RUSA,which will operate as a funding mechanism for state universities,already threatens to dwarf the UGC in terms of grant-giving powers. Currently,the UGC gives about Rs 6,000 crore per annum to central universities,deemed to be universities and state universities.

To be eligible for RUSA funding,states will have to set up a State Higher Education Council,create accreditation agencies,prepare perspective plans and commit funds towards academic,sectoral and institutional governance reforms,filling faculty positions and so on.