Know about UGC Approved Universities

University Grants Commission (UGC) is a constitutional organisation in India. In 1956, UGC was set up by the Union of Government. UGC holds the authority to approve the universities in India. It also funds the affiliated universities and colleges. It coordinates, promotes, regulates, maintains and monitors the standards of university education. Studying in
UGC approved universities is the best choice for higher education.

UGC had recognized several universities in different states. To execute the operations smoothly UGC has seven regional offices at Hyderabad, Pune, Bhopal, Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Bangalore.

Significance of UGC approved universities

UGC recognized universities are the most trusted centres of education. Degree from these universities is a symbol of authenticity and is accepted by all organizations in India.  The degree from UGC approved universities is valid for all competitions and jobs in India.

UGC approved universities

As on Feb 11, 2013 there are total 620 universities approved by UGC. Under different categories the count goes as follows:

• State universities : 298 approved universities
• Central universities : 44 approved universities
• Deemed to be universities : 130 approved universities
• Private University : Total 148 universities are competent to award degrees. But private universities are not permitted to affiliate and start-off any institute/college.

Some of the top most UGC approved universities are as follows:

• Anna University, Guindy, Chennai
• Mumbai University, Mumbai
• Delhi University, Delhi
• Shivaji University, Kolhapur
• Calcutta University, Kolkata

UGC inviting foreign universities

UGC has authorized few foreign universities to set up their campuses in India and conduct their programs for Indian students. The universities that fall under the list of top 500 global universities are only eligible to operate in India. In the coming years, University of United States of America (USA) is expected to contribute to the educational growth in India. Currently, various universities such as University of California work in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) for UG exchange programs.

Before going for admission in any institute/university it is recommended to visit the websites guiding for the educational centres. Prefer the UGC approved universities for higher education and a degree of good reputation.

How Universities Are Categorized in India?

A university is a high-level educational institution where numerous courses are offered and academic research is carried out. In India, there are more than 250 universities. These universities collectively cater the need of higher education, among the growing population.
The university education serves the following purposes:

1. To get a job
2. To explore area of interest
3. To become productive citizens

Governing bodies
In India, universities are supervised by a regulatory body, Universities Grants Commission (UGC). UGC is controlled by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). The other organizations contributing to the development of education system in India are National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Types of universities
The education system through universities is carried out through different types of universities. The classification is done on the basis of governing bodies and the rights they enjoy. In India, various types and List of universities are as follows:

•   Central universities: They are also known as Union universities. These are under the purview of the Department of Higher Education. Among many, University of Allahabad and University of Delhi comes under the list of central universities.
•   State universities: They are under the purview of the state government of each of the states and territories of India. Among many, University of Madras and University of Mumbai, comes under the list of state universities.
•   Deemed university: They enjoy the status of autonomy granted by the Department of Higher Education on the advice of the UGC. Among many, Indian Institute of Science and School of Planning and Architecture comes under the list of deemed universities.
•   Public universities: They are controlled by the Government of India and state governments. Among many, Aligarh Muslim University and Annamalai University comes under the list of public universities.
•   Private universities: They enjoy the right of granting degrees but cannot have off-campus affiliated colleges. These universities are approved by the UGC. Among many, Sikkim Manipal University of Health Medical & Technological Science and Himalayan University comes under the list of private universities.

Ranking universities

Depending upon the types of facilities, a student can apply to a university of his choice. The ranking of the universities also helps in making a decision. The universities are ranked by various organizations on the basis of campus size, infrastructure, number of courses offered, student database, faculty education, foreign collaboration, and placement.

Higher education plays an important role in a student’s career. Choosing the right college or university for higher education is a critical decision. Students must go through the comparative analysis of the institutions before going for admission.

Standard Of Deemed Universities Reaches At Alarming Rate

Now, when the commercialization of higher education is has reached at an alarming rate, government of India wakes up. Deemed universities in India are propagating at a rapid speed and concerns about quality have risen as the number of universities has. Officials of higher education reviewing committee are worried. Some of them even condemned the system for degradation of standard of deemed universities’ education.  Education is no more about building the youth for country. It is a business that gives hefty sum of money for one time investment. The issue is big enough that it is being raised in the parliament. Ministers are talking about the process that evaluates the deemed universities.

Universities in Dehradun

The Head of the reviewing committee that is responsible for renovation and rejuvenation of higher education is going through the system of deemed universities. Besides that, he will also have look at the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission (UGC). For the future of students it not good to know that institutes of sub-standard are increasing at higher rate in the name of deemed universities.

Another most disturbing thing about education system is that educational institutions do not require being 10 year old to get the tag of deemed university. Mostly, only institutes with age of 10 years could qualify in the category of deemed university.  However, the ‘de novo’ category allows institutes capable of excellence in some of the emerging areas could be made deemed universities.

Now UGC Holds Responsibility for Distance Education

The council that used to take care of institutions of distance learning in India Distance Education Council (DEC) is been taken over by the University Grants Commission (UGC). From small responsibilities to big, everything is now in hands of UGC. Like any other universities, distance education universities will need to be recognized from UGC.

                             Distance Education

The process of takeover is an administrative order then also it violates the Indira Gandhi Open National University Act of 1985. Under section 16 of the Act, DCE was assigned as the authority of IGNOU. However, after some time, IGNOU sent a notification mentioning its with drawal and removed all the statute provisioned for DEC.

IGNOU was compelled to take this step against the HRD ministry’s decision that was taken last year. The decision was to make UGC the regulatory authority for every higher education institutes or university in India. Through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode of UGC became the regulatory authority. Now, distance Education University needs to get approval from UGC rather than DCE like earlier times.

The assets and liabilities of DEC’s along with its manpower and official data everything was transferred to UGC. Without any modification everything was given so that to ensure that the process of transition goes smooth. When the transition is smooth, the uninterrupted function was possible because of all the handovers done smoothly.

Many officials have raised their objection on replacement of parliament law with bureaucratic process. From now, UGC site will contain the names of distance universities in the list of UGC approved recognized universities .