The University Grants Commission commonly known as UGC is a statutory authority established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Education, the body is responsible for coordination and maintenance of standards of higher education in India. The main work of UGC is to give recognition to universities/colleges/institutions and equal distribution of funds to such recognised universities and colleges. In total, University Grants Commission has six regional offices in Pune, Bhopal, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Guwahati and Hyderabad and its headquarters being in New Delhi. The University Grants Commission (UGC) also offers scholarships to those students who qualify for the JRF in the National Eligibility Test. This scholarship is offered to doctoral students. On average, UGC offers INR 725 crores scholarships to various postgraduate and doctoral students. The commission was established in 1953 in accordance with UGC Act 1956. It has affiliations to three departments namely the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, and NCERT. Be it an ancient time or the modern world, the higher education system of India has been remarkable and it’s growing tremendously. India’s education system is indeed the third-largest system in the world. This system is handled by the commission popularly known as UGC. It is an acronym used for University Grants Commission.
University Grants Commission: Establishment and History
The commission was formed in 1945 to look after the working of three major universities of India; Central University of Aligarh, Delhi and Banaras. It was 1957 when the work of the commission got extended. From overseeing just three universities UGC now had to look after all the Indian universities. A recommendation was made by the University Education Commission, the commission that was set under the administration of A.Radhakrishnan. The main work was to report on Indian universities, improvements and measures to be taken for the betterment of the higher education offered to students. In 1952, the Government of India decided that all the grants to universities, the fund provided to them, recognitions etc should be handled by only one commission – University Grants Commission (UGC). The inauguration for UGC was held by Maulana Azad Kalam in 1953. In 1956, the University Grants Commission became a statutory body by the act passed by the Indian Parliament; UGC Act 1956. In the starting of 1994, UGC decided to decentralize their operations by opening six regional offices in different cities. Then in 2015, the Government of Indian decided to establish a commission that should be responsible for providing the ranking to universities/colleges based on various parameters. Below is the establishment journey of UGC described in few pointers.
- 1944- The very first attempt to establish a commission was made by putting forward the Sargent Report.
- 1945- Based on the recommendation, initially, UGC was given the responsibility of three central universities; Delhi, Banaras and Aligarh.
- 1947- GOI decided to give the entire responsibility of handling all the Indian universities to the University Grants Commission.
- 1948- Under the Chairmanship of Dr S Radhakirshnan, an University Education Committee was set up and the recommendation was put forward to make UGC India just like UGC UK.
- 1953- Inauguration of University Grants Commission was held by Maulana Azad Kalam.
- 1956- UGC was established as a statutory body circumventing the UGC Act.
- 1994-1995- UGC distributed the work and six regional offices were opened.
University Grants Commission: Roles and Responsibilities
The main objective behind the establishment of the University Grants Commission was to have a body that can take care of all the universities and institutions that offer higher learning education. UGC in higher education aims to coordinate, maintain and determine the functions of institutions in higher learning. Not only this, but the commission also provides funds to such institutions. In order to get approved by UGC, the university/institution needs to clear all the set standards made by the University Grants Commission. Many universities are established in India, not all of them are UGC approved. The commission is also responsible for setting standards for the various national level entrance examinations such as ICAR, NET, UGC NET etc. Students who qualify for such exams are also offered scholarships by UGC. Some of the functions of UGC; setting standards for universities, framing the rules on national level entrance examinations, providing funds to recognised universities, suggests mandatory steps for the improvements and betterment of higher education in India, considering the loopholes and providing various suggestions to improve the education quality in India. .
Major Responsibilities of University Grants Commission (UGC)
- One of the most important functions of UGC is to promote and coordinate higher education in universities/institutions.keeping a check on the way of teaching at such institutions.
- The commission is responsible for framing rules on a minimum standard of education offered to students at universities. Each university needs to pass some set standards to get approval from the University Grants Commission.
- UGC is responsible for setting guidelines/standards for various national level examinations such as ICAR NET, UGC NET and CSIR UGC NET. Also, a plus point here is that students are also offered scholarships who can qualify for such exams. These are commonly known as UGC funded scholarships.
- To keep a check on the growth of college and university in terms of education.
- Maintain a smooth relationship and connection between the union and state governments and universities/institutions that offer higher education.
- Providing suggestions to lessen up the gap between central and state universities and to make positive changes in University education.
An Important Update- The Government of India is scheming to replace the UGC by establishing a new commission in higher education called the Higher Education Commission in India (HECI).
University Grants Commission: Members of UGC India.
University Grants Commission is only one such commission that is established under the Ministry of Education to oversee the work of all the established universities/deemed to be universities/ institutions etc. The chairman that is currently serving is Prof. Dhirendra Pal Singh. He has a good amount of experience (34 years) in education planning and administration, research and training, teaching and training etc. Not only this, but he was also the Director of a well-known association who is responsible for providing accreditation to universities named the National Association and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Before his appointment as a chairman of UGC, he also served as Vice President of various universities such as Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Dr Hari Singh Gour University etc.
Members of University Grants Commission (UGC)
| Name (UGC Member) | Designation (Currently Serving As) |
| Dr Bhushan Patwardhan | UGC Chairman |
| Dr Bhushan Patwardhan | Vice-Chairman UGC |
| Shri Amit Khare | Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development |
| Shri Rajeev Ranjan | Additional Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance |
| Dr Uma Chandrashekhar Vaidya | Former Vice-Chancellor Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University Nagpur |
| Prof. Raghvendra P Tiwari | Vice-ChancellorDr Hari Singh Gour university |
| Dr Kiran Hazarika | PrincipalTengakhat CollegeAssam |
| Prof. (Dr.) Nagesh Thakur | Professor Department of PhysicsHimachal Pradesh UniversityShimla |
University Grants Commission: Scholarships and Awards offered to Students. Know the Complete List of UGC Fellowships.
There are an array of scholarships that are offered by the University Grants Commission to students who contribute to the growth of the educational system in India. Scholarships are one such way to provide financial assistance to those students who are in the need of financial support. Students who are capable of producing positive education growth in the country by his/her contribution can avail themselves of UGC scholarships to continue their studies without any financial hindrances. UGC has planned various scholarships for the students studying courses at recognised universities at different levels; undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral subject to certain eligibility criteria. The commission provides enormous opportunities to the students who contributed and continually contributed to the growth of the educational system of India. With such scholarships, students who have the zeal to achieve something in their lives through education gets an opportunity to continue studying without any obstacles in their way. Look at the below-given table to know about the scholarships offered to students by UGC at different levels.
University Grants Commission (UGC) Scholarships
| Emeritus Fellowship | Post Doctoral Scholarship To Women Candidates |
| Dr. S. Radha Krishnan Post- Doctoral Fellowship in Humanities and Social Sciences | Post- Doctoral Fellowship to SC/ST Candidates |
| National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities | Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC Candidates |
| National Fellowship for OBC Candidates | Ishan Uday for North Region |
University Grants Commission: Emeritus Fellowship
Emeritus Fellowship is offered by UGC to highly qualified teachers who have contributed their part to the training and research. With the help of this scholarship, teachers can continue their research without any financial hindrances. The main objective of the Emeritus Fellowship is that candidates can pursue research from a recognised university without any financial burden. The eligibility criteria of the Emeritus Scholarship offered by UGC is based on the quality of the research. The honorarium of Rs. 31,000/month for two years (non-extendable) will be given to selected students as a monetary benefit of the scholarship.
University Grants Commission: Dr S. Radharkrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Humanities and Social Sciences
The main aim of this scholarship is to provide grants to students who want to carry advanced studies and research in Humanities and Social Sciences. Also, this scholarship is offered to students who want to study languages in Indian Universities/Colleges. The eligibility criteria for this scholarship is that candidates must be unemployed and should not be more than 35 years of age. For SC/ST category a relaxation of 5 years is given. There are variable momentary benefits offered through this scholarship. Students applying for this scholarship must have obtained a minimum of 55% marks at the UG level and 60% at the postgraduate level for the general category. Also, transgeder candidates can apply for this scholarship
Scholarships are one such way of rewarding students for their hard work. Taking a look at the UGC scholarships, the main aim is to delve students into research and development. Students who want to do a PhD (research) in humanities and sciences can apply for the scholarship. Therefore, to avail scholarship offered by UGC, aspirants must meet the eligibility requirements.
University Grants Commission: Swami Vivekananda Single Child Girl Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences
The main objective of this scholarship offered by UGC is to motivate and encourage single girl children of the family to continue their higher education in sciences without thinking of financial burden. Any girl child who wants to study Ph.D. in Social Sciences can apply for this scholarship. Students must note that distance mode courses are not covered under this scheme. Transgender students can also apply for this scholarship. The scholarship also recognises the importance of single girl child in the family and promoting single girl child in society. All the students who want to avail Swami Vivekananda Single Child Girl Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences must meet the eligibility criteria. INR 25,000 – for initial two years | INR 28,000 – for remaining tenure are offered to selected students.
University Grants Commission: Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child for PG Programmes
This UGC scheme is offered to girl children who want to continue post-graduation in non-professional courses. Girls who have no brother or are twin sisters can apply for the scholarship. This scholarship is for only a single child. The UGC has initiated this scholarship to recognise the value of observance of small family norms. An important point is here that girl wo have a brother will not be eligible for the scholarship. The upper limit of a girl child is 30 years at the time of admission in postgraduate courses in a university recognised by the University Grants Commission. Admissions that are offered through distance mode shall not be covered under the scholarship. Therefore, students who are studying any course through distance education should not apply to the scholarship. Selected candidates for this scholarship would get the benefit amount of Rs. 3,100. This scholarship is designed for single girl children who want to study the postgraduate programme at a recognised university. Students for Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child for Post Programmes must check the eligibility criteria before applying for the scholarship.
University Grants Commission: Post Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates
Post-Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates is offered by UGC with the sole motive to provide financial assistance to undertake postdoctoral research in the following disciplines: Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Humanities, Social Sciences from a recognised university. The eligibility criteria for this scholarship is that students must hold a doctorate in an allied subject with published research work. Students before applying to this scholarship must check the eligibility criteria and fulfil all the requirements. The main aim is to provide financial assistance so that students who want to continue the research work without any financial burden on them. Candidates are requested to check the actual scholarship amount offered as a benefit or variable monetary benefit to the students on the official website of UGC under the scholarship section. Transgender candidates can also apply to the scholarship subject to eligibility criteria. Also, SC/ST candidates must obtain 50% marks at the UG level and 55% minimum marks at the PG level to be eligible to apply for the scholarship.
University Grants Commission: Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates is offered to students at the doctoral level. This scholarship offers financial assistance to students who want to pursue doctoral courses such as M.Phil and Ph.D. from recognised Indian Universities. The minimum eligibility criteria for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates is that students must have passed the post-graduation examination and candidates must belong to SC/ST category.
University Grants Commission (UGC): Awards and Honours
The University Grants Commission has always been forward to encourage academic excellence and teaching and research. To encourage higher education and excellence in research in higher education, the commission has arranged various awards and honours for excellent researchers and lectures. Some of the popular awards offered by UGC are UGC Hari Om Ashram Trust Awards, UGC Swami Pranavananda Saraswati National Awards, UGC National Veda Vyas Sanskrit Awards etc.
What is the Importance of UGC Recognition for Universities?
Getting approval by UGC is crucial for universities, and colleges both private and the public to provide admission to studies and to run courses at the university. For example, universities that are recognised by UGC are not allowed to use the name “university” until and unless it is approved. To get approval from UGC, the university must undergo an inspection by an expert panel designated by the University Grants Commission. If by any chance the university doesn’t comply with the rules and regulations or set standards of UGC, the commission has all the right to not grant the recognition. Therefore, the decision given by the University Grants Commission would be final and binding. It must be noted that for public universities including state and central universities, getting approval from UGC is mandatory for providing financial grants. The UGC also grants deemed university status to various universities if they comply with all the rules and regulations laid down by the commission.
What is the Importance of UGC Recognition for Students?
Knowing the validity of a degree is important for the students. Recognition from a UGC will make students understand the importance of validating the degree. Students who want to know every minute details about the university can check the university PDF uploaded by the University Grants Commission on their official website. Also, the commission every year publishes a list of fake universities in India, these are those universities that are working without any recognition. An important question that arises here is, why is it so important to know which university is not recognised by the University Grants Commission? Students who would know that a university is not recognised will not take up any courses at such universities. All the universities that are recognised by UGC must be accredited by a council after two graduating batches. Such institutions must apply for accreditation after five years. In India, the council which gives accreditation is known as National Assessment and Accreditation Council is popularly known as NAAC.
University Grants Commission: Professional Councils.
Accreditation is given to universities/institutions under the aegis of UGC is taken care by the 15 autonomous statutory bodies namely All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Bar Council of India (BCI), National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), Medical Council of India (MCI)/National Medical Commission (NMC), Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), Indian Nursing Council (INC), Dental Council of India (DCI), Central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH), Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), National Council for Rural Institutes (NCRI), Council of Architecture and Various State Councils of Higher Education (SCHE). Also, recently UGC along with CSIR started conducting NET for the appointment of teachers/lecturers at the universities. Candidates who want to teach at the university must appear for NET. For this, it is mandatory for candidates to sit for NET. Aspirants who will qualify for NET can only teach at the graduation and post-graduation levels. A plus point for PhD students, they are given five per cent relaxation. All types of universities are under the supervision of UGC such as state universities, central universities, private universities, public universities etc. There are 49 central universities in India as published by University Grants Commission on their official website. The stats are for December 3018. There are also affiliated colleges and universities running in the country. The number of private universities currently running in India is 282. Therefore, students must know the fake universities in India, these are the universities that don’t have recognition from UGC. The total number of fake universities in India is 24 and also that there are 24 universities that the UGC has not declared fake.
We hope this article provided enough clarity on University Grants Commission. In case of any doubts, feel free to reach out to us in the comments section. Thank you for reading!
