(a) whether the Government has relaxed the rules and regulations for setting up of new universities by the State Governments;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has permitted State Governments to set up new Universities despite the fact that existing universities are facing huge financial difficulties;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the norms adopted by the State Governments to set up new Universities in the country?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) & (b): While State Legislatures can enact legislation to establish and incorporate Universities such established Universities have to comply with the standards laid down by the UGC. The standards are amended from time to time by the UGC in view of changing needs in higher education. Further, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of “Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan” (RUSA) strategic funding is given to States for establishing Universities by conversion of autonomous colleges or clustering of Colleges. The extant guidelines approved by the National Mission Authority of RUSA, lay stress on quality of candidate institutions for conversion or clustering into universities and the criteria have not been relaxed.
(c) to (e): The issue of the Central Government permitting State Government to set up new Universities does not arise as State Legislatures are competent to establish State Universities. The Central Government through the University Grants Commission (UGC) is concerned with the maintenance of standards in education by State Universities.
The Bills for setting up of State Universities and the accompanying reasons undergo the scrutiny of State Legislature. The Central Government has not laid down comprehensive norms for such legislation.
Under RUSA, funding can be considered for universities created by upgrading autonomous colleges or by clustering of colleges as per RUSA norms. The respective State Bills for setting up of such universities need to satisfy the RUSA norms if funding under RUSA is contemplated by the State.
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