What state universities are doing with their autonomy

Lucknow University is planning new courses, online and offline, but Madras University is grappling with funding problems

Over the past few months, some of the oldest and largest state universities, such as the University of Madras, University of Mumbai, and University of Lucknow, received category-1 status from University Grants Commission (UGC) as per its “graded autonomy” regulations. Category-1 is the highest category allowed by the 2018 regulations, affording institutions so designated the maximum autonomy.

Along with the category-1 status, a National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) rating of A++ also qualifies the universities for a Rs 100-crore surplus grant.

However, many of these state universities are suffocated for funds and require steady, continuous grants from the state which they are not getting. Moreover, with UGC tying grants to NAAC ratings, teachers say that more and more state universities are being left out of the funding pool. They also see a contradiction within the central policy which pushes for greater enrolment while pushing universities to rely on student fees.

Online courses, better infrastructure

Once it acquires category-1 status, a university can start new programmes or skill courses, set up off-campus centres, open research parks or innovation centres, and hire foreign faculty – all without the approval of UGC. This is the primary benefit of this status which essentially frees universities from much of the regulatory framework.

“[It] means we don’t have to jump through hoops. Further, it has to do with branding. The kind of options we have in terms of student profile and teacher profile will change,” said Geetanjali Mishra, dean, academics, University of Lucknow.