Lok Sabha Question No. 61 (STARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Higher Education Commission of India
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR, SUGATA BOSE

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

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No.61 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2018

## Higher Education Commission of India

## †*61. SHRI NAGARRODMAL: PROF. (DR.) SUGATA BOSE:

- Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has decided to repeal the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1951 and set up Higher Education Commission of India (HECI); (b)  if  so,  the  salient  features  including  the  composition  of  the  proposed  Commission along with its aims and objectives and the reasons therefor; (c)  whether  the  Government  has  sought  the  views  of  eminent  educationists  and  the public on the proposed HECI and if so, the details in this regard; (d) the extent to which the Government feels that the quality of higher education can be improved across the country and the funds disbursement to central universities will be made in a transparent way; and
- (e) the time by which the said Commission will be set up?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*61 FOR 23.07.2018 ASKED BY SHRI NAGARRODMAL AND  PROF.  (DR.)  SUGATA  BOSE,  HON'BLE  MEMBERS  OF  PARLIAMENT, REGARDING HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION OF INDIA.

(a):The Ministry has prepareda draft Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2018 to repeal  the  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  Act,  1956  and  forestablishment  of theHigher Education Commission of India (HECI)for promoting the quality of academic instruction,  maintenance  of  academic  standards  and  autonomy  of  higher  educational institutions for free pursuit of knowledge, innovation, incubation, skills and entrepreneurship,  and  for  facilitating  access,  inclusion  and  opportunities  to  all,  and providing for comprehensive and holistic growth of higher education and research in a competitive global environment.

(b)to  (d):  At  the  time  of  establishing  the  UGC,  total  number  of  Higher  Educational Institutions were very small in number in the country. There were only 20 universities and nearly 500 colleges with a total enrolment estimated to be 0.21 million. Over the last six decades the size, scale and complexities of India's Higher Education Sector has increased manifold and it is now considered to be one of the largest Higher Education Systems in the world with over 900 universities and 40,000 colleges, both in public and private sector. The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education in the country is at 25.2% with a total enrolment estimated to be about 35.7 million.

With  the  increase  in  number  of  Higher  Educational  Institutions,  the  expert committees such as Hari Gautam Committee recommended that the regulator should focus on promotion of quality teaching and research and usher measures to bring the much  needed  reforms  in  the  higher  education  sector.  The  draft  Higher  Education Commission of India Bill, 2018 now proposes to enable the Commission to perform its role effectively in attaining standards and enhancing quality in higher education.

The  proposed  Higher  Education  Commission  of  India  will  focus  largely  on promoting the quality of academic instruction, maintenance of academic standards and grant  of  autonomy  of  higher  educational  institutions.  The  grant  disbursal  function  to

Universities and Colleges is now proposed to be located in an entity which works in a transparent, merit-based approach through an ICT enabled platform. Further, the draft Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2018 has been put in public domain on 27.06.2018 for seeking comments  and  suggestions from educationists,  stakeholders  and  general  public  before  20.07.2018.  The  Ministry  has received 9,926 suggestions/comments covering Members of Parliament, State Governments,  academicians,  teacher  unions,  Chambers  of  Commerce,  students  etc. and appropriate changes are being made in the draft Bill based on the public feedback. (e):  The  Ministry  is  in  the  process  of  finalization  of  the  draft  Higher  Education

Commission  of  India  Bill,  2018  based  on  the  suggestions/comments  received  from various  stakeholders  viz.  Members  of  Parliament,  State  Governments,  academicians, teacher unions, Chamber of Commerce, students etc.

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