Lok Sabha Question No. 4988 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-26
Subject: Higher Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PANKAJ CHOWDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO . 4988 TO BE ANSWERED ON  26 TH  MARCH, 2018

## Higher Education

## †4988. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY :

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any scheme to provide more opportunities to women in higher education and if so, the details thereof; (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  a  women's  college  in  each  State  to promote the women empowerment and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether  in view of less participation of women  in  engineering  sector, the Government  proposes  to  provide  some  relaxation  in  admission  to  the  engineering colleges; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a)  &  (b): The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  informed  that  it  has undertaken  several  schemes  for  the  benefit  of  girls  and  women  to  enhance  their accessibility and provide more opportunities such as provisions of various scholarships and  fellowships  exclusively  for  single  girl  child  and  women.    The  UGC  is  also implementing schemes for development of Women's Studies in Indian Universities and Colleges, setting up of Women Hostels for Colleges and Universities, Capacity Building of Women Managers in Higher Education, Establishment of  Day Care Centre in Central and State Universities.

Further,  in  order  to  encourage  girl  education,  a  Sub-Committee  under  Central Advisory  Board  of  Education  (CABE)  has  been  constituted  to  look  into  the  issues related to Girls' Education. The interim recommendations of the Sub-Committee interalia, include setting up of Residential Degree Colleges and Polytechnics for Women in the  District  Head  Quarters,  Exclusive  Women  University  in  each  State  and  providing free education to girls upto PG level etc.

Also  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  Rashtriya  Uchchatar  Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), Central support is  offered  to  increase  access,  equity  and  quality  of higher education. Till date, the scheme has approved central assistance for 232 women colleges  across  States  and  Union  Territories  under  various  components  such  as through various components, such as creation of Model Degree Colleges (MDCs), new colleges (professional & technical), Equity Initiatives, Upgradation of Colleges to MDCs, Infrastructure Grants to Colleges, etc. Approval under the scheme is dependent upon submission  of  each  State  Higher  Education  Plan  (SHEP)  which  is  submitted  by  the State after analyzing its higher education requirements in terms of access, equity and quality.

(c)  &  (d): As informed  by  All  India  Council  for  Technical  Education  (AICTE),  the council  has  taken  pro-active  measures  to  attract  girls  in  technical  education  through measures  such  as  providing  relaxation  in  land  norms,  FDR  and  Processing  Fee  for setting up of technical institutions specially for girls. Additionally, the Pragati scholarship scheme provides scholarship for girls in AICTE approved Institutions.

Further,  the  low  representation  of  female  enrollment  in  Indian  Institutes  of Technology  (IITs)  was  reviewed  by  a  Committee  constituted  by  the  Joint  Admission Board (JAB) and on the recommendations of the Committee, it has been decided to increase female enrollment in IITs from 8% in 2016 to 14% in 2018-19, 17% in 2019-20 and 20% in 2020-21 by creating supernumerary seats.

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