Lok Sabha Question No. 878 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-23
Subject: Higher Education Regulatory Authority
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: ANANDRAO  ADSUL, E. T. MOHAMMED BASHEER, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, DHARMENDRA YADAV, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, Shrirang Appa Barne

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.878 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2018

## Higher Education Regulatory Authority

878. SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE:

SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Union  Government  is  planning  to  replace  the  higher  education  regulator, University Grants Commission, with new regulator;
- (b) if so, the mandate of proposed new Higher Education Commission of India;
- (c) whether the Government has sought feedback from various stakeholders;
- (d)  if  so,  the  response  received  from  various  stakeholders  on  the  new  Higher  Education Commission of India;
- (e) whether the proposed Commission will be freed of funding activities;
- (f) if so, the details thereof;
- (g)  whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  provide  more  autonomy  to  Higher  Education Institutions to promote excellence & facilitate holistic growth of the educators system; and
- (h) if so, the facts thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

- (a)  &  (b):The  Ministry  has  prepareda  draft  Higher  Education  Commission  of  India  Bill,  2018  to repeal of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956 and for establishment of the Higher

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. (c) & (d): 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) & (f): 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. (g)  &  (h):  The  Higher  Education  Commission  of  India  (HECI)  shall  take  measures  to  promote 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.

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