The University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted graded autonomy to eight central universities in India, under the UGC(Categorisation of Universities (only) for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018. This autonomy enables universities to cater to changing educational demands, innovate in teaching and research, and increase overall quality and efficiency.
Autonomous universities have the authority to develop their curriculum, establish new courses, set their own examination and evaluation methods, and handle their resources more freely. Category I autonomy grants universities the highest level of independence and flexibility regarding the said matters, whereas Category II autonomy provides some degree of flexibility with certain limitations set by the UGC.
List of New Graded Autonomous Central Universities:
- Central University of Rajasthan, Rajasthan - Category I
- Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi - Category I
- University of Delhi, Delhi - Category I
- Central University of South Bihar, Bihar - Category I
- University of Hyderabad, Telangana - Category II
- Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Telangana - Category II
- Central University of Punjab, Punjab - Category II
- Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh - Category II
UGC is a statutory authority in India that coordinates, determines, and maintains higher education standards. It also gives grants to universities and colleges, develops academic policies, and analyses developments regarding higher education.