New draft guidelines UGC Rules, 2024

30.01.2024

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Why in the news? 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released new draft guidelines “UGC (Fitness of Colleges for Receiving Grants) Rules, 2024” for public comment.

Key Point

• If approved, the new guidelines will replace 1975 UGC guidelines that cover all institutions recognised by the commission.

Key highlights of the draft guidelines

• The new rules will be applicable to every college affiliated to universities that are established by a central or under a state act under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956.
• The UGC has made it mandatory for colleges to be listed under Section 2(f).
• This section allows implementation of statutory rules across all colleges and holds colleges accountable to the UGC.
• This was brought to maintain quality standards across all institutions.
• The draft policy paves way for these colleges to get 12(B)status.
• The 12(B) status only makes colleges eligible for funding.
• This makes the college eligible for receiving grants from the UGC, Centre, and other funding agencies for varied academic and research activities.

Eligibility criteria to receive grants

• The UGC has proposed that universities should:

○either have accreditation awarded by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC); or

○NAAC is the primary body for assessing and accrediting higher education institutions.

○have at least 60% of the programmes, in case a college offers more than three programmes accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA).

○NBA is another statutory body that assesses the qualitative competence of programmes.

• In case a college offers less than three programmes, then each of the eligible programmes must have been accredited, the guidelines states.
• If these institutes do not have both NAAC or NBA accreditation, then they should be ranked in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

●They should be ranked in NIRF at least thrice after participating five times or at least twice after participating thrice.

• The draft states that these colleges should charge a reasonable fee set by the government and should not ask for extra fees like capitation fees.
• As per the draft, these colleges will be required to have at least 75% of the total sanctioned teaching posts filled and duly follow reservation policy.

●Not just hired, but the teachers will have to be paid according to the UGC or Central or state government policy as well.

• Application for recognition under Section 12B of the UGC Act, 1956

○The colleges can apply online on the UGC portal to be considered for recognition under Section 12B of the UGC Act, 1956.

○The affiliating university will be responsible for examining this application and recommend the UGC for approval within 60 days.

○If at any point, the UGC finds a college in violation of its rule, their status can be withdrawn.

About UGC (University Grants Commission)

• It is a statutory body established by the Government of India to regulate and coordinate higher education in the country.
• It was established in 1956 under the UGC Act 1956 and functions as a self-governing body.
• The main objective of UGC is to maintain standards and quality of education in universities across India.
• UGC has a wide range of responsibilities and functions. Formulate policies and guidelines for the development and regulation of higher education institutions, including universities and colleges.

                                                      Source: Indian Express