(a) whether India holds the 17th position in the World in respect of ranking of Universities;
(b) if so, the reasons alongwith the problems being faced to bring the Indian Universities to
the International level;
(c) whether the standard of Indian Universities came down due to non-focusing on the rules and
regulations notified by the University Grants Commission; and
(d) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to bring the Indian Universities on
par with International level?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) & (b): While certain institutions or agencies occasionally publish lists of
universities or educational institutions ranked according to the criteria known to them,
there is no authentic official international agency for the global ranking of universities.
(c) & (d): Improvement of quality of higher education is a continuous process. A substantial
increase in Plan allocation is envisaged in the XI Plan for the expansion of higher education,
for setting up of institutions such as Central Universities in uncovered States, establishment
of World Class Universities,Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management,
Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, Indian Institutes of Information
Technology and Schools for Planning and Architecture, expansion of capacity of the
existing institutions, incentivising State Governments for increasing State outlays on higher
education, strengthening of science based research in Universities, frequent updating of
curricula, introduction of semester system, Faculty Improvement Programmes are also included in
the XI Plan for improving the quality and relevance of higher education.