Lok Sabha Question No. 144 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-14
Subject: Different types/level of Universities in the NewEducation Policy
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Deepak Baij

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 144 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.09.2020

## Different types/level of Universities in the New Education Policy

144. SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) the present position of setting up different types/level of Universities envisaged in the New Education Policy; (b) whether the Universities not seeking any economic grant from the Government would be free to choose courses; (c)  if  so,  the  form  of  education  proposed  to  be  devised  for  the  students  of  the  Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe(SC/ST) and Other Backward Classes(OBC) categories; (d)  whether  the  New  Education  Policy  stipulates  to  set  up  a  new  single  body  by  merging multi-level educational monitoring institutions; and

(e) if so, whether such single body will not be over-burdened by such a step?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

(a):  The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has been approved by the Union Cabinet on 29.07.2020. The NEP-2020 states that a university will mean a multidisciplinary institution of higher  learning  that  offers  undergraduate  and  graduate  programmes,  with  high  quality teaching, research, and community engagement. The definition of university will thus allow a spectrum of institutions  that  range  from  those  that  place  equal  emphasis  on  teaching  and research i.e., Research-intensive Universities, those that place greater emphasis on teaching but still conduct significant research i.e. Teaching-intensive Universities. Further, by 2040, all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) shall aim to become multidisciplinary institutions (b): The NEP-2020 states that in order to promote creativity, institutions and faculty will have the  autonomy  to  innovate  on  matters  of  curriculum,  pedagogy,  and  assessment  within  a broad framework  of higher education qualifications that ensures consistency across

institutions  and  programmes  and  across  the  ODL,  online,  and  traditional  'in-class'  modes.

Accordingly, curriculum and pedagogy will be designed by institutions and motivated faculty. (c):  The  NEP -2020 states  that  entry  into  quality  higher  education  can  open  a  vast  array  of possibilities  that  can  lift  both  individuals  as  well  as  communities  out  of  the  cycles  of disadvantage. For this reason, making quality higher education opportunities available to all individuals  must  be  among  the  highest  priorities.  This  Policy  envisions  ensuring  equitable access  to  quality  education  to  all  students,  with  a  special  emphasis  on  SEDGs  (SocioEconomically Disadvantaged Group). The NEP-2020 also states that financial assistance to students  shall  be  made  available  through  various  measures.  Efforts  will  be  made  to incentivize the merit of students belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and other SEDGs. The National Scholarship  Portal  will  be  expanded  to  support,  foster,  and  track  the  progress  of  students receiving scholarships. envisages 'light but tight' regulation by a single regulator, the Higher

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(d) & (e): The NEP -2020 Education Commission of India.