(a) whether the University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently made it mandatory for all universities to provide only those degrees which have been specified by the UGC;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) to (c): The provision that Universities award only those degrees that have been specified by the University Grants Commission (UGC) is laid down under Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956. In accordance with this provision, the UGC specifies the list of degrees from time to time by the UGC after considering proposals from Regulatory Councils, Universities, etc. The most recent comprehensive specification of degrees was notified in the Gazette on 5th July, 2014 and is available at http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/1061840_specification-of-degrees-july-2014.pdf.
Uniformity in nomenclature of degrees across the country is vital for mobility of students and their prospects in employment. While issuing such notifications of degrees, the UGC reminds Universities to award only those degrees that have been specified by the UGC. On 9th June, 2014 the UGC has advised Vice Chancellors of all Universities/ Deemed to be Universities that no University shall confer a degree in violation of the provisions of the notification, published in the official gazette, of degrees specified by the UGC, under section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956. The UGC has further advised the Vice-Chancellors of all Universities/Deemed to be Universities that if a University wishes to award a degree other than the one specified by UGC, it shall approach the UGC for its approval six months prior to starting the degree programme with full justification on the course to be started.
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