Section 3 of the UGC Act provides that an institution of higher education, other than universities, can be declared as an institution deemed to be university. Such institutions enjoy the academic status and privileges of a university. Out of 103 Deemed to be Universities, only 9 are receiving 100% non-plan and plan grant through UGC, whereas 3 receive fixed non-plan grant, on year-to-year basis. In all, 25 Deemed to be Universities get plan grant from University Grants Commission. The Government has so far decided that no more institutions, except those set up by Government of India, will be provided the plan or non-plan grant by the UGC and hence, majority of the ‘Deemed to be Universities’ are working, in a way, as self-financing institutions. The recommended measures are: -
- Selected ‘Deemed to be Universities’ should be considered for being eligible to get some financial assistance under plan and non-plan schemes of UGC.
- Teachers should be eligible for individual grants under various schemes. The teachers of Deemed to be Universities should be provided an opportunity to attend Refresher & Orientation courses conducted by Academic Staff Colleges.
- UGC should evolve a differential mechanism by supporting those ‘Deemed to be Universities’ who are solely dedicated to access and equity, with a focus on marginalized groups.
- The ‘Deemed to be Universities’ should be eligible for UGC/AICTE funded scholarship/fellowship programs.
