Tag Archives: universities

Quota of OBCs in higher education

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The University Grants Commission(UGC) has circulated the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006 and Amendment Act, 2012 to all Central Educational Institutions directing them to implement reservation provisions for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) including admission of OBC students to these Institutions. UGC has issued instruction to all the grant-in-aid institutions funded by the Central Government, except minority Institutions under Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India to implement 27% reservation for OBCs.

As per the information available with the Ministry, during 2015-16, 22 out of 40 Central Universities have successfully achieved the prescribed percentage of student intake from OBC Community. Some of the universities like Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Milia University and some like Mizoram University, Nagaland University, North Eastern Hill University could not achieve the prescribed percentage as these were either minority institutions or were situated in Tribal dominated areas where less OBC students apply for admissions. All Indian Institutes of Technology/National Institutes of Technology/Indian Institutes of Information Technology achieved the stipulated 27 % intake of OBC students. Further, 13 Indian Institutes of Management out of 19 and 22 out of 31 National Institutes of Technology recorded more than the stipulated 27% student intake.

The Government of India and UGC has been continuously monitoring the progress of implementation of Reservation policy for OBCs in admission to courses at all level in Universities/Institutions.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development through UGC instructs Universities/Institutions to furnish periodic reports on the implementation of reservation guidelines for OBCs for admissions to courses at all level and Hostel accommodation for students.

UGC has a dedicated SC/ST/OBC section which monitors effective implementation of the Reservation Policy for all communities including OBCs in admission and recruitment to various posts in universities and colleges.

This information was given by the Minister of State (HRD), Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey today in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question.

Recruitment of Teachers

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified the Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measure for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education, 2010. These principal regulations along with their subsequent four amendments notified up to 2016 lay down principles and guidelines for recruitment and promotion of faculties at the cadre of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor.

In these Regulations, Master’s degree with UGC specified score along with NET/SET/SLET or Ph.D. earned in conformity with UGC Regulations has been made mandatory eligibility condition for appointment to various academic positions. However, para 4.1.0 of UGC Regulations, 2010 prescribes an alternative criterion for the post of Professor. As per this criterion, an outstanding professional with established reputations in the relevant field who has made significant contributions to the knowledge in the concerned/allied/relevant discipline could be recruited as a Professor.

The Universities are autonomous bodies created either under the Central Act or State Acts and the onus of filling up the vacant posts lies with them. However, to make the teaching profession more attractive and to draw in good talent at the entry level, the UGC Regulations, 2010 has prescribed norms for improvement in service conditions for the new entrant, in terms of better working and leave conditions, career advancement prospects, retirement benefits etc.

Further, the UGC has, inter alia, undertaken the following initiatives for improving the teachers and Teacher education so as to make the profession more attractive:

§ The UGC supports ‘operation faculty recharge’ through strengthening high quality research in science related disciplines and promoting innovative teaching in the universities through induction of fresh talent at the level of Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors. Many universities require the support of professionals and experts beyond those available to the university in its regular faculty especially in strengthening high quality research in science-related disciplines, at internationally competitive level and in promoting innovating teaching in universities. Besides, it has provided positions of Adjunct Faculty and Scholars-in-Residence to enrich the teaching and research programmes of the university system at M.Phil and Ph.D levels.
§ UGC implements a Travel Grant Scheme that provides financial assistance to permanent teachers and librarians of colleges and vice-chancellors of state universities, deemed to be universities and central universities, recognized under section 2 (f) and 12 (B) of the UGC Act, to present research papers at international conferences abroad.
§ UGC provides financial assistance to teachers teaching in universities and colleges to promote excellence in teaching and research. Research project may be undertaken by an individual teacher or a group of teachers. The ceiling of assistance under the scheme is Rs.20 lakhs for sciences including Engineering & Technology, Medical, Pharmacy and Agriculture etc. while for humanities, Social Science, Languages, Literature, Arts, Law and allied disciplines, the assistance is Rs.15.00 lakhs.
§ In order to encourage research and development in the country, UGC has laid out a number of schemes, awards, fellowships, chairs and programmes under which financial assistance is provided to institutions of higher education as well as faculty members working therein to undertake quality research in almost all areas of knowledge across disciplines including revival & promotion of indigenous languages.

This information was given by the Minister of State (HRD), Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey today in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.

Shri Rajnath Singh condoles Amarnath Yatra bus accident victims

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The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives in a bus accident carrying Amarnath Yatris in Jammu and Kashmir. “My heart goes out to the families of Amarnath Yatris who lost their loved ones in the bus accident. My prayers are with the injured,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh spoke to J&K Chief Minister Ms. Mehbooba Mufti regarding the unfortunate accident of the bus near Ramban. She apprised the Union Home Minister of the ongoing rescue operations. Shri Rajnath Singh also had a telephonic conversation with the J&K Governor Shri NN Vohra who has reached the accident site. He apprised the Union Home Minister of the situation.

The bus carrying 45 pilgrims from Jammu to Srinagar rolled down a mountain at Nachala, Under Police Station Ramsu at Banihal, Ramban. As confirmed by SSP Ramban, in this accident 16 pilgrims died and 29 got injured. 18 injured have been airlifted to Government Medical College & Hospital, Jammu by chopper, the remaining 11 with minor injuries left for Srinagar by road. Helpline numbers to enquire about Amarnath Yatris travelling in the bus that met with accident in Ramban, J&K. 16 killed, 29 injured as bus rolled down near Ramban.