University grades to witness a turnaround

According to a statement from the centre to the Supreme Court, it is planning, within three month's time, to improve the grading system of the Universities, and the process of implementing the same would be done within the same duration.

The government is getting into discussions with various stakeholders regarding the upgradation in the system, including bodies like All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), University Grants Commission (UGC) and National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Also, various private deemed universities who are opposing the step by the Centre, are claiming that there is no such provision under the executive action which allows the government to lay down the grading criteria.

The government has been asked to respond to the objections made by the deemed universities within three weeks' time. According to court orders, UGC will be inspecting the universities Maharishi Markandeshwar University in Ambala, Manav Rachana International University in Faridabad, Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research in Chennai, Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology in Thanjavur, Institute of Advanced Studies in Education in Huru (Rajasthan), Academy of Maritime Education and Training in Chennai, Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya in Hardiwar and Vinayak Mission's Research Foundation in Salem (Tamil Nadu).

At present, 41 deemed universities are under scan for failing in fulfilling the criteria regarding the same.