45 Colleges in India to Get University Status Within Two Years

Seeing the increasing number of students enrolled for higher studies, central government has prepared two plans to establish two new universities in the country. Under the first plan, the central government will convert reputed colleges in states into universities. Under the second plan, most colleges situated in a region in a state will be grouped under a university. 

The central government has asked the states for proposals regarding this under Rashtriya Uchchattar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). It has targeted to convert 45 colleges into universities in the next two years. Likewise, colleges situated in a particular area in a state will be clubbed together one university. Under this plan, 35 new universities will come into existence. According to Human Resource Development Ministry, proposals have been obtained to convert 16 autonomous colleges into universities up till now. 

These also include West Bengal situated St. Xavier's and Ram Krishna Mission College. Under the cluster college plan in various states, proposals have been obtained to establish 30 universities. A senior official from HRD ministry said that 46 proposals will be given final shapes to. Those will soon be given consents. After getting approvals, HRD ministry would assign Rs. 55 crores to each university as aid for upgrades. 

According to the ministry, they have not received any proposals from backward states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. These states have been sent reminders so that they can send new proposals as soon as possible. Under both the plans, the government wants to establish at least 80 universities in various states by the end of the current five year term. This will increase the number of universities in the country. 

Presently, there are 45 central universities in the country. There are 198 private universities. Apart from these, there are 129 deemed universities. There are around 36,000 colleges and 12,000 vocational colleges in the country. About 86 percent of students are doing bachelor courses. About 12 percent students are doing post graduation. About 2.25 crore students are studying in various universities in the country. 

Source: click4college