(a) whether M.A. course of IGNOU have been approved by the Association of Indian Unversities
for admission in Ph.D course in Indian Universities;
(b) if so, whether the Government is aware that MS Baroda University has refused adtiUssions
in Ph.D courses to those who has passed MA from IGNOU;
(c) the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Governme:nt to make uniform policy for admission in Ph.D
courses?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M.A.A. FATMI)
(a) As per the information furnished b)` Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), all
programmes of IGNOU are approved by the University, Grants Commission (UGC) and the Association
of Indian Universities.
(b) & (c) No such information has come to the notice of the Government. However, the research
capabilities in the field of distance education are not available in several universities in
the COWltry. Therefore, students holding M.A. degree may not be considered eligible for Ph.D.
in another area.
(d) Every autonomous institution has its own Act, Statutes and Ordinances. It would not be
proper to infringe 011 academic autonomy of universities. However, the prin.ciple of
equivalence for corresponding programmes offered by different universities is well
established now.