Explained: UGC Grants Autonomous Status to DU; Here’s What it Means

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a list of eight universities to which it has granted autonomy. The Delhi University (DU) is one of the most controversial names that finds its mention in the list.

News agency ANI quoted UGC chairperson M Jagdesh as saying, “Autonomy gives educational institutions the freedom and flexibility to innovate, adapt and excel in education and research, as per NEP (the National Education Policy), 2020. By tailoring their programmes to meet the growing needs of students and industries, autonomous institutions can contribute immensely to academic excellence and global competitiveness.”

The DU has been granted autonomy under ‘category 1’, which is the highest level of independence — allowing them to determine their own curriculum, fee structure and admission processes.

The move seems to be inspired by the National Education Policy, 2020. Section 19, Clause 2 of the policy states, “Through a suitable system of graded accreditation and graded autonomy, and in a phased manner over a period of 15 years, all HEIs (higher education institutions) in India will aim to become independent self-governing institutions — pursuing innovation and excellence.”

“Measures will be taken at all HEIs to ensure leadership of the highest quality and promote an institutional culture of excellence. Upon receiving the appropriate graded accreditations that deem the institution ready for such a move, a Board of Governors (BoG) shall be established, consisting of a group of highly qualified, competent and dedicated individuals having proven capabilities and a strong sense of commitment to the institution.”

This might not be as rosy as it seems. Many teachers and unions are opposing the move — stating that this marks the death of public-funded institutions.

Dr Maya John, a professor at DU’s Jesus and Mary College and a member of the varsity’s Academic Council, said the decision with regard to granting graded autonomy under ‘Category-1’ to central universities like the DU spells the “death knell for public-funded higher education”.

She said the move represents further “enhancement of massive commercialisation” of education in public-funded higher educational institutions and a process that “debars the already deprived and marginalised sections of society from higher education”.

“The agreement makes it mandatory to cut government subsidies in the education sector so as to make the fee structure prevailing in government-run institutions at par with private institutions. Essentially, the flood gates are being thrown open to a plethora of self-financed courses. We are going to witness the escalation of more such courses and further rise in examination fees, hostel fees, etc.,” she told The Mooknayak.

One clause in the list of the “freedoms” observed by autonomous universities include following the pay scales as laid down by the UGC — with a built-in incentive structure — to woo talented faculty with the condition that the incentive structure shall have to be paid from their own revenue sources and not from commission or government funds.

Democratic Teacher Front’s Dr Nandita Narain describes it as a “dangerous provision”. “This provision could encompass various benefits such as salary increments, promotions, incentives for obtaining a Ph.D., etc.,” she pointed out.

Currently, according to her, these elements are part of their service conditions and are funded by the government. Even pension could be viewed as a form of incentive, she said, adding it is important to note that apart from basic pay, which is also not explicitly guaranteed to be covered by government funds, this provision is perceived as highly risky.

Effect on Under-Privileged Sections

According to Professor Narain, though reservation will formally remain in force, the possible high fees for such programmes will imply that the “market will be used to implement de-reservation since the socially oppressed are disproportionately composed of families with low incomes”.

“In addition, low pay and poor service conditions will also ensure that educated Indians are cast away from teaching and research — which will only expand the ranks of the unemployed,” she explained.

The measure — according to Dr John of the Jesus and Mary College — would also “drastically reduce” the opportunities of deprived sections to enter higher education, since the “proliferation of self-financed courses and vastly hiked fees” would make it impossible for them to do so.

Opposition to Autonomous Status at a Glance

During its meeting on August 11, 2023, the Academic Council of the Delhi University reported having received a letter from the UGC — granting it a ‘Category 1’ varsity under the Graded Autonomy Regulation.

This information was scheduled to be presented before the Executive Council in its meeting held on August 25, 2023, as a reporting item.

Twelve members of the Academic Council had dissented on the item — citing concerns that the proposal by the DU administration, seeking ‘Category 1’ status under Graded Autonomy, had never been discussed in its meetings. 

They argued that granting this status might lead to commercialisation and deprive the university of necessary government grants for teaching-learning and infrastructure.

What ‘Category-1’ Status will Bring to Varsities

# Universities shall be automatically deemed to be under section 12B of the UGC Act, 1956 and no inspections by the commission shall be required for the same.
# Universities may start a new course/programme/department/school/centre in disciplines — which form a part of its existing academic framework without approval of the UGC, provided no demand for funds is made from the government on account of taking the initiatives.

# Degree programs shall be consistent with the approved nomenclature of the UGC. Diploma and certificate courses, approved by its statutory authorities or statutory regulatory authorities wherever required, may be started in new and innovative areas that are relevant to local, national or international needs — with information to the UGC.

# Provided that for government owned universities and deemed to be universities, approval shall be taken from the government if funding is sought from the government for starting a new course, programme, department and school in self-financing mode.

# Universities may open constituent units and off-campus centres within its geographical jurisdiction without the approval of the UGC, provided it is able to arrange both recurring and non-recurring revenue sources and does not need any assistance for the same from the UGC or the government.

# Universities may start skill courses, consistent with the National Skills Qualification Framework, without approval of the UGC — provided no demand for funds is made from the government on account of starting new courses.

Degree programmes shall be consistent with the approved nomenclature of the UGC. Diploma and certificate courses approved by its statutory authorities or statutory regulatory authorities, wherever required, may be started in new and innovative areas that are relevant to local, national or international needs, with information to the UGC.

# Universities may open research parks, incubation centres and university society linkage centres in self-financing mode, either on its own or in partnership with private partners, without approval of the commission. 

However, in all such arrangements, the ownership of all immovable property and that component of movable property procured through the resources of the institution shall remain with the university.

# Universities, subject to the rules, regulations and guidelines of the Government of India, may hire, without approval of the commission, foreign faculty having taught at any institution appearing in top five hundred of any of the world-renowned ranking frameworks, such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings or the QS Rankings, up to 20 percent over and above of their total sanctioned faculty strength. 

Universities will have the freedom to hire foreign faculty on “tenure/contract” basis as per the terms and conditions approved by their governing council or statutory bodies.

# Universities shall be free to admit foreign students on merit, subject to a maximum of twenty percent, over and above the strength of their approved domestic students. Universities would be free to fix and charge fees from foreign students without any restriction.

# Universities, while following the pay scales as laid down by the commission, shall build in an incentive structure to attract talented faculty — with the condition that the incentive structure shall have to be paid from their own revenue sources and not from the commission or government funds. 

Such incentive structure shall be strictly merit-based — with clearly defined, transparent and objective criteria — and shall not be universal. It must necessarily be approved by both the academic council and the finance committee of the institution, apart from statutory bodies like the senate or syndicate or executive council, as the case may be. 

The commission shall be informed of the incentive structure within 30 days of approval by the statutory bodies of the institution.

# Universities may engage in academic collaborations with foreign educational institutions, as per the UGC (Promotion and Maintenance of Standards of Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2016, without approval of the commission with foreign institutions in top 500 of Times Higher Education World University Rankings or QS Rankings or top 200 of discipline specific ranking in Times Higher Education World University Rankings or QS Rankings.