HRD turns down state varsities’ plea for upgrade

In a major policy decision that has not go down well with the states, the union HRD ministry has said that it will not convert state varsities into central universities for multiple reasons, including legacy issues and disaffiliation of affiliated colleges among others, even as it has assured that it will improve higher education across the country with the help of a new scheme.  

The Centre has conveyed to the states that they can upgrade their universities through centrally sponsored scheme - Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). It’s worth mentioning that the decision to upgrade state-level existing institutions taken during the UPA regime was aimed at improving the quality of higher education, which was endorsed by National Development Council (NDC).

“The ministry has taken a policy decision not to convert state varsities into central universities for reasons of legacy issues, adjustment of existing staff, and disaffiliation of affiliated colleges,” an official note issued by HRD ministry said.

Defending the move, the HRD ministry, through its official note said: “Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a new centrally sponsored scheme, would help states in improving higher education by creating additional capacity in existing scheme,” adding, “the state governments would have the flexibility to set up new varsities and colleges keeping in mind the local requirements.”

However, the states have criticised the move. Talking to Millennium Post, Madhya Pradesh education minister Deepak Joshi said: “It’s a huge setback for the state like MP. We have submitted a proposal of conversion of Devi Ahilya University, Indore into a Central varsity under the plan. If it would have happened, it could have helped in improving higher education of the state.”

Joshi further said: “The conversion of Devi Ahilya University was in final stage as officials had given presentation to Centre. But, since the Centre has overturned the decision, we would have to wait for some years for its conversion.”

The education ministers of other states such as Bihar, Meghalaya, Assam and Rajasthan among others have expressed similar views as of their Madhya Pradesh counterpart on the decision. It’s worth mentioning that the last time such 

conversions had taken place was in 2009 when three state universities were transformed into central universities.