Scrapping UGC: HRD extends deadline for receiving feedback till July 20

The HRD Ministry had last week announced its decision to replace the UGC with the Higher Education Commission for India by repealing the UGC Act, 1951.

The HRD Ministry on Thursday extended the deadline for receiving feedback and suggestions from stakeholders on scrapping of the UGC and draft bill for replacing it with the Higher Education Commission for India.

Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar announced at a press conference on Thursday that the deadline has been extended till July 20. (HT file photo)

The decision to extend the deadline was taken following representations from various quarters.

Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar announced at a press conference on Thursday that the deadline has been extended till July 20.

The HRD Ministry had last week announced its decision to replace the UGC with the HECI by repealing the UGC Act, 1951.

According to the draft, which has been placed in public domain by the ministry to seek feedback from the stakeholders, the new commission will solely focus on academic matters and monetary grants would be under the purview of the ministry.

Less government and more governance, separation of grant-related functions, end of inspection raj, powers to enforce compliance with the academic quality standards and to order closure of sub-standard and bogus institutions are some of the highlights of the new Higher Education Commission of India Act, 2018 (Repeal of the University Grants Commission Act).

“The landmark decision will give big boost to higher education this year by adding Rs 22,000 crore funding from HEFA, which has also been tasked to mobilise Rs 1 lakh crore for Revitalizing Infrastructure and Systems in Education (RISE) by 2022,” he said.