Time-bound recognition and accreditation reforms in Higher education
New Delhi, August 5
The University Grants Commission has developed several web portals and online systems for moving towards digital and transparent systems.
Accordingly, UGC has developed portals for the grant of Autonomous status to Colleges, the grant of Deemed-to-be University status, the Distance Education Bureau (DEB) for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programs across Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), stated in the release.
Taking into account the feedback received from stakeholders, UGC has now developed a unified online portal for grant of 2(f) and 12B status.
Further, in accordance with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, the Government has introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, which provides that the entire system of regulation will be executed through technology-driven single-window interactive systems for Higher Educational Institutions based upon public self-disclosure.
Such systems will simplify processes, reduce discretion, and promote trust, thus enhancing efficiency and accountability. This Bill has been presently referred to a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament for examination.
This information was given by Minister of State for Education, Dr Sukanta Majumdar, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative by UGC, but I'm a bit skeptical. We've seen many "online portals" before that end up being more complicated than the offline process. The real test will be in how user-friendly this system is for smaller colleges in tier-2 and tier-3 cities where internet connectivity is still an issue.
The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill sounds promising, especially the "single-window interactive system" part. Reducing discretion in regulatory processes is crucial to curb corruption. But why is it still with a Joint Committee? We need faster implementation, not more bureaucratic delays! 😤
As a research scholar, I welcome any move towards transparency. The DEB portal for distance education is particularly useful. But I hope the autonomy granted to colleges doesn't just remain on paper. Institutions need proper infrastructure and faculty support to truly benefit from these reforms.
Time-bound recognition is great, but let's also talk about the quality of accreditation. NAAC scores are often gamed. I hope the new system focuses on actual learning outcomes and research output, not just paperwork compliance. Otherwise, it's just the same old story in a new digital avatar. 🤔
This is a positive step towards NEP 2020's vision of "light but tight" regulation. As a teacher in a private college, the current system involves too much running around and unnecessary paperwork. A transparent, self-disclosure-based system would save time, money, and mental energy for all stakeholders. 👏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.