Opening of Colleges and Universities

RAJYA SABHA

The Eleventh Plan proposes to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 15 per cent by 2011-12 which would require an annual increase in enrolment of 8.9 per cent and an appropriate increase in number of institutions of higher learning to meet the target.

During the Eleventh Plan establishment of Central Universities in hitherto uncovered States has been envisaged. 15 New Central Universities have been notified on 15.1.2009 and a second Central University has been established in Jammu Division of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) has been established for facilitating and promoting studies in areas concerned with the tribal population in the country.

A new Regional Centre of the IGNTU has been inaugurated in Manipur. 374 model degree colleges in the districts having GER lower than the national level with the Centre-State funding in the ratio of 1:1 for Special Category States and 1:2 for the other States has also been approved for which the University Grants Commission (UGC) has invited detailed project proposals from State Governments. Other scheme in the Eleventh Plan include incentivizing State Governments for setting up of new institutions or expansion of existing institutions with Central assistance, strengthening 6000 colleges and 150 State Universities with focus on underserved areas to enable these institutions to fulfill the criteria for UGC assistance and additional assistance to 160 State Universities and about 5500 colleges which are already declared fit to receive grants under Section 12B of the UGC Act. Eight new Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) have also been set up during this Plan period. Seven new Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are also proposed to be established. The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has permitted second shift in certain engineering colleges and polytechnics. Expansion of intake in Central Educational Institutions by 54 per cent has been undertaken consequent to the implementation of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Human Resource Development Smt. D. Purandeswari, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

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