Provision for 10% hike in seats in 10th plan: UGC

The University Grants Commission on Tuesday said that there was a provision for 10 per cent hike in seats every year under the 10th five year plan.

Amidst reports that the Centre might go for increase in seats in educational institutions to offset protests against OBC reservations, the University Grants Commission on Tuesday said there was a provision for 10 per cent hike in seats every year under the 10th five year plan.

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"Going by the funds sanctioned to colleges and universities, we have a provision for 10 per cent increase annually in all educational institutions," UGC Chairperson Sukhdev Thorat said in New Delhi.

"Under the 10th plan we have a target of increasing 10 per cent of seats, which we are hopeful of achieving. In fact last year we have already achieved an increase of 8 per cent," Thorat said.

Asked if he thought that infrastructure was available for an overall increase in seats in all universities and colleges should the government decide to do so in the wake of ongoing anti-quota agitation, he said he can comment on it only after a decision to this effect was taken.

"I have not been informed anything about it (increase either in quota seats or overall increase)," he added.