Page 156 - DLIS101_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SOCIETY

Unit 14: Promoters of Library and Information Services

14.6 University Grants Commission (UGC) Notes

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India is a statutory organisation set up by Union
government in 1956, for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university
education. It provides recognition for universities in India, and provides funds for government-
recognised universities and colleges. Its headquarters are in New Delhi, and six regional centers in
Pune, Bhopal, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Guwahati and Bangalore.
In 2009, the Union Minister of Education made open the government of India’s plans to close down
UGC and the related body AICTE - due to corruption and inefficiency charges against the bodies in
favour of a higher regulatory body with more sweeping powers.
UGC was recommended in 1945 and formed in 1946 to oversee the work of the three Central
Universities of Aligarh, Banaras and, Delhi. In 1947, the Committee was entrusted with the
responsibility of dealing with all the then existing Universities. After independence, the University
Education Commission was set up in 1948 under the Chairmanship of Dr. S. Radhakrishna and it
recommended that the UGC be reconstituted on the general model of the University Grants
Commission of the United Kingdom.

UGC was formally inaugurated by late Abul Kalam Azad, the then Minister of
Education, Natural Resources and Scientific Research on 28 December 1953.

However UGC was formally established in November 1956, by an Act of Parliament in 1956, as a
statutory body of the Government of India. In order to ensure effective region-wise coverage
throughout the country, the UGC has decentralised its operations by setting up six regional centers
at Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bhopal, Guwahati and Bangalore. The head office of the UGC is
located at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in New Delhi, with two additional bureaus operating from 35,
Feroze Shah Road and the South Campus of University of Delhi as well.

14.6.1 Professional Councils

UGC currently conducts NET for the appointments of teachers in colleges and universities. It has
made NET qualification mandatory for teaching at Graduation level and at Post Graduation level
since July 2009. However those with Ph.D are given five percent relaxation.
Accreditation for higher learning over Universities under the aegis of University Grants Commission
is overseen by following sixteen autonomous statutory institutions:
• All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
• Distance Education Council (DEC)
• 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)
• Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)
• Indian Nursing Council (INC)
• Dental Council of India (DCI)

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 151