(a) whether the Government intend to counter the crisis related to shortage of University seats across the Central Universities;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government’s expenditure on ‘Research and Development’ is approximately 0.65 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP);
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to increase the funds to support the research in Central Universities?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)
(a) & (b): The number of seats for each course in Universities is determined on the basis of availability of physical infrastructure, faculty position, financial resources etc. After implementation of ‘Central Educational Institutions (CEI) Reservation in Admission Act, 2006’, from the year 2008, there had been substantial increase in the intake of total number of students in the Central Universities and Colleges affiliated to University of Delhi, Banaras Hindu University & University of Allahabad.
Further, on implementation of 10% reservation of Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs), the intake capacity in all Central Educational Institutions has increased to an extent of 25% in phased manner, in the year 2019-20 and 2020-21. One new Central University has been established at Motihari (Bihar) in 2016 and 2 Central Universities in Andhra Pradesh in 2019. Also 3 Central Sanskrit Sansthans have been given status of Central Universities in the year 2020.
(c) to (e): As per Economic Survey (2020-21), India’s gross expenditure on Research & Development is 0.65 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The University Grants Commission (UGC) initiated the Non-NET fellowships Scheme in Central Universities in 2007 to provide Non-NET fellowship to all eligible candidates for pursuing M.Phil/Ph.D and who are not recipients of any other fellowship from any other source. Total number of Non-NET fellowships given in last five years (including this year) is 77598. In addition to this, 213843 number of beneficiaries have been given fellowship under various research schemes of UGC and other ministries for the period from 2016-17 to 2020-21.
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