Centre to replace UGC with new education commission

The government is set to replace the apex higher education regulator, University Grants Commission (UGC), with a higher education commission by repealing the UGC Act, 1951. The Higher Education Commission would focus on academic matters. Monetary grants would be the purview of the ministry, according to the draft.

The government is set to replace the apex higher education regulator University Grants Commission (UGC) with a higher education commission by repealing the UGC Act, 1951.

“Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi has embarked on a process of reforms of the regulatory agencies for better administration of the HE sector (sic). In a landmark decision, a draft Act for repeal of #UGC & setting up #HECI (Higher Education Commission of India) has been prepared,” Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted.

“The draft Act is in accordance with the commitment of govt for reforming the regulatory systems that provide more autonomy to HE institutes to promote excellence & facilitate holistic growth of the education system,” he added. The Higher Education Commission of India would focus solely on academic matters. Monetary grants would be the purview of the ministry, according to the draft. “Less government and more governance, separation of grant functions, end of inspection raj, focus on academic quality, powers to enforce compliance to the academic quality standards and to order closure of sub-standard and bogus institutions are some of the highlights of the new act,” the draft says.