(a) the number of universities in the country including Patna University which the Government
proposes to convert into Central University along with the criteria adopted for the said process;
(b) the reason as to why not even a single University in Bihar has got the status of Central
University; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ''Nishank'')
(a) to (c) At present, there is no proposal for conversion of Patna University into Central University.
There are already three Central Universities functioning in the State of Bihar at Gaya, Motihari and
Nalanda. However, the State Government is yet to hand over possession of land for the Central
University at Motihari. Besides, the Prime Minister package for Bihar also proposes to establish a
new Central University near Bhagalpur at the historic site of Vikramshila University. As a policy
decision, this Ministry avoids conversion of any university into Central University for reasons of
legacy issues, adjustment of existing staffs and disaffiliation of affiliated colleges.
As per the 12th Plan (2012-17), as approved by the National Development Council, the thrust is on
consolidation of the higher education system and expansion is to be mainly done by scaling up
capacity of the existing institutions in place of setting up new institutions. Further, ‘Education’
being a concurrent subject, the State Government may also take initiative for establishing new
universities.
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