REPORT NO. 302

PARLIAMENT OF RAJYA SABHA

DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

THREE HUNDRED AND SECOND REPORT

Demands for Grants 2018-19 (Demand No. 58) of the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development)

(Presented to the Rajya Sabha on 8th March, 2018) (Laid on the Table of on 8th March, 2018)

Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi March, 2018/Phalguna, 1939 (Saka)

Hindi version of this publication is also available

PARLIAMENT OF INDIA RAJYA SABHA

DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

THREE HUNDRED AND SECOND REPORT

Demands for Grants 2018-19 (Demand No. 58) of the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development)

(Presented to the Rajya Sabha on 8th March, 2018) (Laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on 8th March, 2018)

Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi March, 2018/Phalguna, 1939 (Saka)

C O N T E N T S

PAGES

1. COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE …...... (i)-(ii) 2. INTRODUCTION...... (iii) 3. ACRONYMS ………...... …...... (iv) 4. REPORT...... …...... 5. *OBSERVATIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE - AT A GLANCE ... 6. *MINUTES......

COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE (Constituted w.e.f. 1st September, 2017)

1. Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya  Chairman

RAJYA SABHA

2. Shri Partap Singh Bajwa 3. Shrimati Vandana Chavan 4. Prof. Jogen Chowdhury 5. Prof. M.V. Rajeev Gowda 6. Shri Anubhav Mohanty 7. Shri Vishambhar Prasad Nishad 8. Dr. Sasikala Pushpa 9. Dr. Vinay P. Sahasrabuddhe 10. Shri Gopal Narayan Singh

LOK SABHA

11. Shrimati 12. Shri Bijoy Chandra Barman 13. Shri Nihal Chand 14. Shrimati Bhawana Gawali (Patil) 15. Shri Faggan Singh Singh Kulaste 16. Shrimati Geetha Kothapalli 17. Prof. Chintamani Malviya 18. Shri Bhairon Prasad Mishra 19. Shri Ramachandran Mullappally 20. Shrimati Neelam Sonker 21. Shri Hari Om Pandey 22. Dr. Bhagirath Prasad 23. Shri N.K. Premachandran 24. Shri K.N. Ramachandran 25. Shri M.I. Shanavas 26. Dr. Nepal Singh 27. Dr. Prabhas Kumar Singh 28. Shri Satyapal Singh 29. Shri 30. Shri P.R. Sundaram 31. Shrimati P.K. Sreemathi Teacher

(i) SECRETARIAT Shri K.P. Singh, Joint Secretary Shri Rajiva Srivastava, Director Shri Vinay Shankar Singh, Additional Director Shri Arun Kumar, Deputy Secretary Smt. Himanshi Arya, Under Secretary Shri K.Sudhir Kumar, Research Officer Shri Mohit Misra, Committee Officer

(ii) INTRODUCTION

I, the Chairman of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development, having been authorised by the Committee to present the Report on its behalf, do hereby present this Three Hundred and second Report of the Committee on the Demands for Grants (Demand No. 58) of the Department of Higher Education for the year 2018-19.

2. The Committee considered the various documents and relevant papers received from the Department of Higher Education and also heard the Secretary and other Officials of the Department on the said Demands for Grants in its meeting held on 26th February, 2018. Besides, the Committee, while making its observations/recommendations, has also relied upon the following:-

(i) Detailed Demands for Grants of the Department of Higher Education for the year 2018-19; (ii) Detailed Explanatory Notes on the Demands for Grants (2018-19) received from the Ministry and the agencies/attached offices of the Department of Higher Education; (iii) Annual Report of the ministry for the year 2017-18 and the latest available Annual Reports of the agencies/attached offices of the Department of Higher Education; (iv) Written replies furnished by the Department of Higher Education to the Questionnaires sent to it by the Secretariat; and (v) Written clarifications to the points/issues raised by Members in the meetings of the Committee. 3. The Committee wishes to express its thanks to the Secretary and the officers of Department of Higher Education for appearing before the Committee and furnishing the requisite information in connection with the examination of Demands for Grants of the Department.

4. For the facility of reference and convenience, the observations and recommendations of the Committee have been printed in bold letters in the body of the Report.

5. The Committee considered the Draft Report and adopted the same in its meeting held on the 7th March, 2018.

NEW DELHI DR. SATYANARAYAN JATIYA March 7, 2018 Chairman Phalguna 16, 1939 (Saka) Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development

(iii)

ACRONYMS

1. AICTE : All India Council for Technical Education 2. CBES: Choice Based Credit System 3. CEC: Consortium of Educational Communications 4. EOC: Equal Opportunity Cells 5. GER: Gross Enrolment Ratio 6. ICT: Information and Communication Technology 7. GIAN: Global Initiative of Academic networks 8. HEFA: Higher Education Financing Agency 9. IIIT: Indian Institute of Information Technology 10. IIM : Indian Institute of Management 11. IISER: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research 12. IIT: Indian Institute of Technology 13. MOOCS: Massive Online Open Courses 14. NIT: National Institute of Technology 15. NMEICT: National Mission On Education Through ICT 16. PMMMNT: Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching 17. RUSA: Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan 18. SWAYAM: Study Webs Of Active-Learning For Young Aspiring Minds 19. UGC: University Grants Commission

(iv) REPORT I. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The mission of the Department of Higher Education is to provide greater opportunities of access to higher education with equity to all the eligible persons and in particular to the vulnerable sections, improve and expand education in all sectors. The Department's role also includes the policy formulation, implementation, knowledge management, research and innovation, co- ordination with stakeholders and training and capacity building in higher education sector.

1.2 The Department's function also include expanding access by supporting existing institutions, establishing new institutions, skill development so as to reap the benefits of demographic advantage of the country, engage with State Governments, civil society and international community for furthering knowledge, language and culture and also encourage institutions to expand frontiers of knowledge.

II BUDGETARY ALLOCATION

2.1 The Secretary in his presentation before the Committee on 26th February, 2018 stated that the Department of Higher Education sought an allocation of Rs 63753.27 crore for 2018-19, but was given an allocation of Rs 35010.29 crore. The sector /activity-wise projected demand vis-a-vis actual allocation for the FY 2018-19 is as under:-

(Rs. in crore)

Name of Projected Provided in BE 2018- Activity/Institutions demand 19

UGC 6098 4723 AICTE 850 485 Central Universities 9538 6398 IITS 11467 5613 New IITs 2347 338 IIMs 1524 828 NITs 5037 3019

2.2. The Department vide its detailed explanatory note on DFGs 2018-19 informed the Committee that the overall increase in BE 2018-19 w.r.t. to RE 2017-18 is of Rs. 147.83 crore which is an increase of 5.04% over BE 2017-18 (Rs. 33,329 crore) and an increase of 0.425% over RE 2017-18 (Rs. 34,862 crore). The budgetary allocations at BE stage under the Demand as a whole, over the last three years and the provision made for the financial year 2018-19 are as shown below:- (Rs. in crore) Financial Year Budgetary Allocation % increase at BE Stage 2015-16 26855.26 -- 2016-17 28840.00 7.4% 2017-18 333.29.70 15.6% 2018-19 35010.29 5.04%

2.3 The Department further in its presentation submitted the actual expenditure for the last 3 years are as given under:-

(Rs. in crore)

Financial BE % RE % Actual % year increase/decreas increase Expenditure increase/decreas e e

2015-16 26855.26 2.90% 25699.00 8.43% 25542.26 10.24% 2016-17 28840.00 7.39% 29703.00 15.58% 29026.47 13.64% 2017-18 33329.70 15.57% 34862.46 17.37% 23884.24 -17.71% 2018-19 35010.29 5.04% ------

2.4 While giving presentation before the Committee, the Secretary, Higher Education apprised that the IITs have been allocated Rs 6076 crore in 2018-19 against Rs 7856 crore in 2017-18 which is a decrease of 22.6%; whereas, the IIMs have been allocated Rs. 1036 crore in 2018-19 against last year Rs. 1030 in 2017-18 which a marginal increase of Rs. 6 crore. The regulatory bodies, UGC and AICTE together have been allocated Rs. 5267.75 crore as compared to last year's Rs. 5237 crore which is an increase of 0.59% only. The Central Universities have been allocated Rs. 6455 crore in 2018-19 against last year's Rs. 6512 crores which is a decrease of 0.95%. 2.5 The Committee finds that there is a huge gap between the projected demands and actual allocations made for the Department. Moreover, this reduced allocation of funds do not match with the objectives of expansion and growth of Higher Education Sector in the country and this would also defeat the endeavor to bring excellence in Higher Education. The Committee views that the allocation needs to be enhanced.

2.6 Further as regards the widening of gap between the projected demand and outlay for the FY 2018-19 the Committee conceives that Department should reconsider/review its overall mechanism right from making the proposed demand till the final expenditure is incurred and also assess the impact thereof in so far as the implementation of various schemes is concerned. This would be helpful in making the budget more realistic and making its presence felt on the plan outlay to be formulated for the Department.

2.7 The Committee notes that the allocation for Central Universities is inadequate as compared to their infrastructure, faculty and number of students enrolled. The Committee further notes that Central Universities have a larger number of students enrolled in them as compared to the technical and management institute. Therefore, the Department should make efforts for increase in the funding for the Central Universities at appropriate level, the Committee feels.

III. GROSS ENROLMENT RATIO

3.1 The Department in its presentation submitted that as per All India Survey on Higher Education Report 2016-17 the GER for all categories in the country is 25.2 while GER of SC and ST is 21.1 and 15.4 respectively. The provisions of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservations in Admissions) Act, 2006 have to be followed for admission of SC/ST students in the Central Educational Institutions.

3.2 The Department in its presentation submitted that the Government has taken several measures to increase the enrolment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in higher education. The University Grants Commission implements several schemes/measures for SC/ST students such as Rajiv Gandhi National fellowships, post-graduate scholarships, doctoral fellowships, coaching schemes, establishment of Equal Opportunity Cells in universities and centres in universities for study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy. 3.3 The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Tribal Affairs have also scholarship schemes for SC/ST students like Post-Matric scholarship, Central Sector Scholarship Scheme of Top class Education and National Overseas Scholarship. The Ministry of Human Resource Development has undertaken measures for increasing the participation of the minority youth in higher education by implementing various educational schemes. These include establishment of Model Degree Colleges, Women Hostels in Minority Concentration Districts.

3.4 The Committee appreciates the initiatives taken by the Department for the increase of Gross Enrolment Ratio. The Committee notes that Gross Enrolment Ratio of SC/ST students at 21.1 and 15.4 respectively, is below the national average of 25.2. This in view, of the Committee, needs to be further improved by augmenting necessary measures by the Department. The Committee desires that the Department should ensure that the benefit of scholarships and reservation being provided to SC/ST/OBC and minority students reach them and thereby result into enhanced GER in these categories. The Committee, would further like to reiterate that the Department should not only take steps to bridge the gap between the general category students and the SC/ST/OBC and minorities students but also take initiatives so that students from these sections do not leave their education in between.

IV. RASHTRIYA UCHCHATAR SHIKSHA ABHIYAN (RUSA) 4.1 Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented by the Ministry of HRD. It is an overarching scheme, operated in mission mode for funding the State governments to achieve the aims of equity, access and excellence in higher education. Central funding flows from the Ministry to State universities and colleges through the State governments. Funding to States is made based on critical appraisal of State Higher Education Plans (SHEPs). These plans describe each State’s strategy to address issues of equity, access and excellence in higher education. The fund allocated to the scheme RUSA for the last 3 years is given below:- (Rs. in crore)

Name of Programme/ Year BE RE Actuals Scheme/ Programme/ Project Rashtriya Uchcha 2015-16 1155.00 1045.00 1036.44 Shiksha Abhiyan 2016-17 1300.00 1342.00 1317.00 (RUSA) 2017-18 1300.00 1300.00 880.95 2018-19 1400.00 -- --

4.2 The Department in its replies to the questionnaire submitted that Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) under its component of Research, Innovation and quality improvement also provides support to State Governments for enhancing research quality. The component supports fostering Innovation, entrepreneurship and employability. Such interventions have a potential to be transformatory and provide necessary fillip to knowledge creation & enhancement. UGC on its part launched a number of schemes promoting research in universities. These include: a. Special Assistance Programme (SAP) b. Scholarships and Fellowships under Engg. & Tech. c. Raman fellowships for Post-Doctoral Research for Indian scholars in US and Fellowship under Engg. & Tech. d. Emeritus Fellowship. e. Postdoctoral Fellowships f. Research Fellowship. g. Major Research Projects in Science and Humanities & Social Science h. Minor Research Projects i. Research Awards to Teachers j. Basic Scientific Research (BSR) k. Research Fellowship in Science. l. Universities with potential for excellence (UPE) m. Colleges with potential for excellence (CPE)

In order to boost Research & Development, UGC has made a provision for establishment of Chairs in different Universities. Number of slots under NET was enhanced by 600. The amount of post- doctoral/doctoral fellowship was enhanced by 55% w.e.f. 01.12.2014.

4.3 Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) seeks to improve the overall quality of existing State higher educational institutions by ensuring their conformity to prescribed norms and standards and adoption of accreditation as a mandatory quality assurance framework; correcting regional imbalances by facilitating access to high quality institutions in rural & semi‐urban areas; providing adequate opportunities of higher education to socially deprived communities; promote inclusion of women, minorities, SC/ST/OBCs and differently-abled persons to ensure equity.

4.4 Transformative reforms such as governance, academic affiliation and accreditation reforms are pre-requisite in the implementation of the scheme in State higher educational institutions. These reforms include creation of State Higher Education Councils (SHECs), Search-cum-Select Committee for selection of Vice-Chancellors, implementation of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), reduction in the number of colleges affiliated per university, mandatory accreditation etc.

4.5 Monitoring mechanisms such as geo-tagging app ‘Bhuvan-RUSA’, Reform Tracker and Fund Tracker are in place to monitor performance of States and institutions against funds released. Funds released under the scheme would be under the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

4.6 As on date, the willingness to participate in RUSA has been received from 29 States, 5 UTs and NCT of Delhi and they are thus included in the scheme. The U.T. of Lakshadweep has not yet indicated its willingness to participate in RUSA. State Higher Education Plans (SHEP), have been submitted by the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, , Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, , Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand and the UTs of Puducherry, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Chandigarh and A&N Islands, Except NCT of Delhi, all other participating UTs have submitted their SHEPs under RUSA.

4.7 On 17th April, 2017, the Hon’ble Human Resource Minister (HRM) digitally launched projects approved under RUSA in 15 States. Projects such as Cluster Universities in Jammu and Srinagar (Districts), Jammu & Kashmir; Rajiv Gandhi Government Engineering College, Kangra; New Model Degree College (MDC) Kalwakurthy, Nagarkurnool (District), Telangana; laboratories etc were launched by the HRM.

4.8 The Committee was also apprised of the highlights of reforms that have been undertaken so far as under : a. Creation of State Higher Education Councils in 34 States/UTs b. Creation of State Project Directorates in 31 States/UTs c. Improvement in accreditation status in respect of Universities and Colleges. State Level Quality Assurance Cells have been constituted in almost all States and UTs to help improve the process of accreditation. d. Substantial filling up of vacant faculty positions in several states. e. Academic reforms such as choice based credit system (CBCS), semester system, examination reforms have been initiated.

4.9 The Committee was further informed that as on 31st December, 2017 an amount of approx Rs. 3325 cr has been released under various components since the inception of the scheme. The component-wise approval under the scheme is:

Component Physical Units Approved

Creation of Universities by way of upgradation of 8 existing autonomous colleges

Creation of Universities by conversion of colleges in a 8 cluster

Infrastructure grants to Universities 117

New Model Colleges (General) (under RUSA) 72

Upgradation of existing degree colleges to model 54 colleges

New Colleges (Professional & Technical) 29

Infrastructure grants to colleges 1249

Research, innovation and quality improvement (State as 3 Unit)

Equity initiatives (State as Unit) 18

Faculty Recruitment Support (Posts) 253

Faculty improvement (State as Unit) 8

Vocationalisation of Higher Education (State as Unit) 7

Leadership Development Centrally administered

4.10 The Committee appreciates that RUSA aims to improve overall quality of existing higher educational institutions in States by ensuring their conformity to prescribed norms and standards and adoption of accreditation as a mandatory quality assurance framework. The Committee suggests that the State Higher Education Council should undertake this process of planning, execution and evaluation, in addition to other monitoring and capacity building functions and greater emphasis should be laid on the improvement of the quality of teaching-learning processes in order to produce employable and competitive graduates, post- graduates and PhDs. The Committee impresses upon the Department of Higher Education to pursue with the respective State Higher Education Council to ensure that overall quality of higher educational Institution in the respective States.

V. SWAYAM, E-SHODH SINDHU & NMEICT

5.1 The Department in its replies to questionnaire submitted that e-Shodh Sindhu(e-SS) provides access to qualitative electronic resources including full text bibliographic and factual databases to academic institutions at lower rates of subscription. In the 3rd Party Evaluation by NASSCOM in August 2017 it was recommended that this initiative played a major role in promoting scholarly communication among academicians and researchers in India and has benefited learners, researchers and faculty community. On the basis of roadmap provided by the 3rd Party evaluation e-SS was modified so as to primarily work as a mechanism for joint negotiation of the price of the journals. The cost of the national resources for the Centrally funded and State funded institutions by the Ministry. The budgetary allocation for NMEICT, MOOCs and e-shodh Sindhu was submitted by the Department in its outcome budget and is given below:-

Name of Programme/ Scheme/ Year BE RE Actuals Programme/ Project National Mission in Education through 2015-16 200 74.64 74.64 ICT (NMEICT) 2016-17 200 174.74 145.24 2017-18 150 160 66.61 2018-19 150 -- -- SWAYAM MOOCS 2015-16 150 52 51.99 2016-17 75 71 61 2017-18 75 90 49.81 2018-19 90 -- -- e-shodh Sindhu 2015-16 225 168 168 2016-17 235 235 235 2017-18 240 240 120 2018-19 280 -- --

5.2 The National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT) has been envisaged as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to leverage the potential of ICT, in teaching and learning process for the benefit of all the learners in Higher Education Institutions in any time any where mode. 5.3 The MHRD on 9th July, 2017 launched the SWAYAM platform in the presence of Hon'ble President of India, which can be reached at "htttp://swayam.gov.in". UGC and AICTE have issued ‘Credit Framework for online learning courses through SWAYAM, Regulation 2016’ ,creating enabling framework for transfer of credits for the students who use SWAYAM for their academics. MHRD has constituted, National MOOCs Coordinators (NMCs) which have been entrusted with the responsibilities to ensure MOOCs are developed & delivered in various disciplines. At present about 750+ MOOCs courses are listed on SWAYAM, wherein about 17 Lakhs students have registered for these courses.

5.4 The Committee further apprised of the performance of e-SS in the last two years as under:- (i) There has been an increase in Content Accessible to Each Category of Institutions by 5.9% (ii) Four publishers, i.e. Oxford University Press (OUP), Emerald, AIP and APS, have offered print-independent subscription to their entire collections of journals for universities as well as for CFTIs (Centrally Funded Technical Institutions). (iii) Rates of Subscription frozen at 2015 Level without increase in annual subscription rates. In 2017, increase was restricted from 0 to 4%. (iv) Consortium has proposed to extend access of e-resources to new members of the e-Shodh Sindhu which includes 30 CFTIs, 13 universities and 1000 colleges during the Year 2018. (v) Total savings by the e-SS and member institutions is Rs 30.55 crores [for the year 2016) which includes savings on no-increase- in rates of subscription and discontinuation of print subscription to Oxford University Press (OUP), and Emerald journals by the member institutions. (vi) e-Shodh Sindhu closely monitors usage of e-resources through an automated usage monitoring system called lnfiStat developed by Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre.

5.5 The Committee observes that Knowledge modules based on the personalized needs of the learner would need to be delivered to him /her at the right time with the right content interactively to take care of his / her aspirations. In due course of time there would be a need to develop and maintain the knowledge and capability profile of every individual learner / worker. Such a system would have to be developed in a cost effective manner over a period of time. A proper balance between content generation, research in critical areas relating to imparting of education and connectivity for integrating our knowledge with the advancements in other countries is to be attempted. For this, what is needed is a critical mass of experts in every field working in a networked manner with dedication. This Mission should ensure the support such initiatives and build upon the synergies between various efforts by adopting a holistic approach.

5.6 The Committee, accordingly, recommends that new technologies such as online teaching, virtual class rooms etc. must be used for enhanced learning experience for the students. The faculty must be encouraged to leverage ICT for better learning outcomes and also deployed for assessment of student's performance. The information and communication technology needs to be used as a tool across all institution and necessary infrastructure must be made available to institutions.

VI. HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCING AGENCY (HEFA) & REVITALISING INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS IN EDUCATION (RISE)

6.1 The Department submitted in its presentation that it has been decided to set up a Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) with an initial capital base of Rs 1,000 crore. The HEFA will be a not-for-profit organization that will leverage funds from the market and supplement them with donations and CSR funds. These funds will be used to finance improvement in infrastructure in our top institutions and will be serviced through internal accruals. The Department submitted that Increased funds as equity would strengthen the equity base and get fresh equity contribution from Canara Bank, the joint venture partner of HEFA as well as from some Corporates.

6.2 A list of the major Corporates who have been investing funds for promotion of education would be drawn up for inviting them to become equity shareholders by contributing not less than Rs. 50 Cr each. They would be made members of the Apex Advisory Committee (AAC) of HEFA. Moreover, depending on the resource strength of the institutions, there will be different financing windows by the HEFA for different types of educational institutions including health institutions. HEFA would accordingly be structured for different financing pattern/norms of these different institutions.

6.3 To step up investments in research and related infrastructure in premier educational institutions, including health institutions, it has been proposed to launch a major initiative named ‘‘Revitalizing Infrastructure and Systems in Education (RISE) by 2022’’ with a total investment of Rs 1,00,000 crore in next four years. Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) would be suitably structured for funding this initiative. As regard as the Implementation Plan it was told that the Cabinet is scheduled to approve by the end of March, 2018 and the expected funding for 2018- 19 stands at Rs. 21000 crore.

6.4 The Committee also informed by the Department that it is proposed to set up two new full- fledged Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs), to be selected on challenge mode. Additionally, 18 new SPAs would be established in the IITs and NITs as autonomous Schools, also on challenge mode. The SPAs are scheduled to be functional from August, 2018 and the proposals for establishment of these two full fledged SPAs would be called for from various State Governments who are willing to provide 60-70 Acres of land free of cost.

6.5 The total project cost would be Rs. 5500 Crores( Rs. 1000 Crores for two full fledged SPAs and Rs. 4500 Crores for 18 SPAs as part of well established IITs/NITs/CUs). The Non- Recurring component of the whole project i.e. Rs. 3500 Crores would be provided through HEFA Route of funding whereas the Recurring Part (Salary etc.) of the whole project i.e. Rs. 2000 Crores would be part of Grant-in-Aid through MHRD. Hence, the following financial implications would arise in establishing 20 SPAs (02 full fledged + 18 as part of well established IITs/NITs/CUs etc). It was further stated that Rs. 150.00 Crores per SPA would be provided for building the academic and the hostel infrastructure through HEFA loan route. The SPA shall escrow the entire fee income to HEFA (not less than Rs. 1.5Cr per year for next 10 years for this purpose). All these 20 new SPAs( i.e. 02 full fledged SPAs + 18 SPAs as part of well established IITs/NITs/CUs etc.) will be governed by the SPA Act, 2014. Timely availability of the suitable land i.e. 60-70 Acres, by the concerned state government are the biggest challenge.

6.6 The Committee welcomes the proposal for speeding up investments in research and related infrastructure in premier educational institutions, including health health educational institutions through RISE to the tune of Rs 1 lac crore by 2022 and funding would be provided through HEFA. Further, HEFA is also expected to fund the two new full fledged SPAs and 18 more as part of well established IITs/NITs/CUs etc and grant loans upto Rs 5500 crores in FY 2018-19. The Committee is however, constrained to observe that the HEFA which was announced in last year’s budget speech is yet to take off. The Committee is not satisfied with the progress made so far. The Committee wishes that the time lines are strictly required to be adhered to for the completion of the scheme. The Committee is keen to know the action plan how the target set for next four years which seems to be quite ambitious would be achieved. The Committee desires that the Department of Higher Education should apprise it of the progress while submitting its action taken replies.

VII. SCHOLARSHIPS PRIME MINISTER’S RESEARCH FELLOWS (PMRF)

7.1 Prime Minister’s Research Fellows was announced in the Budget, 2018-19, which allows for direct admission into Ph.D programmes in IITs and IISc, in addition to offering a fellowship amount ranging from 70,000/- to Rs.80,000/- per month to the selected students from IITs, NITs, IIITs, IISERs and IISc, in accordance with the PMRF guidelines. Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 07.02.2018 at a total cost of Rs.1650 crore for a period of 7 years beginning 2018-19.

7.2 Under this, 1,000 best B.Tech students each year from premier institutions would be identified and provide them facilities to do Ph.D in IITs and IISc, with a handsome fellowship. It is expected that these bright young fellows would voluntarily commit few hours every week for teaching in higher educational institutions.

STUDENT FINANCIAL AID-SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS 7.3 The Department submitted that this scheme is provided to those meritorious students who are above 80 percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream from a particular Board of examination in class XII. The Department in its replies to the questionnaire submitted that under these, scholarships are disbursed under Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students and Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir. Status of scholarships released is given below:

Name of the scheme 2015-16 2016-17 01-04-17 to (Fresh+ Renewals) (Fresh+ 31-01-2018 (Fresh+ Renewals) Renewals)

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University 131415 86223 84832 Students Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and 7922 6461 4815 Kashmir

NET SCHOLARSHIPS 7.4 The Department submitted that the objective of the NET-JRF scholarship is to provide opportunities to NET-JRF qualified candidates to undertake advanced studies and research leading to M.Phil/Ph.D. Degrees in Humanities and Social Sciences including Languages and Sciences. The Department in its replies to the questionnaire submitted that the total number of slots for NET qualified candidates is 9400 per year. The amount of scholarship was enhanced w.e.f. December 2014. As on date, no such proposal is under consideration regarding increase in the amount of scholarship. The scheme of Non-NET fellowships is being provided to all eligible candidates of all the Central Universities for pursuing M.Phil./Ph.D. and who are not in receipt of any fellowship from any other source. During XIIth Plan, the number of fellowships provided under Non-NET fellowships in Central Universities is as under:

S.No. Year Number of Number of fellowships-Ph.D. fellowships-M.Phil.

1 2012-13 3231 7803

2 2013-14 3656 7934

3 2014-15 4876 9395

4 2015-16 5239 10888

5 2016-17 5072 10143

Total 22074 46163

SAKSHAM 7.5 The Department in its replies submitted that the Scholarship Scheme for Differently- Abled (Divyang) students styled as SAKSHAM is an endeavor by AICTE to provide financial assistance to encourage the Differently-abled students across India, and to promote technical education at Degree and Diploma levels among them, in order to empower them with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to participate fully and effectively in the development process of Nation building. Under this scheme, 1000 Differently-abled students are to be benefitted every year. The scheme envisages to provide upto Rs. 30,000/- or the actual tuition fee paid, whichever is less, as scholarship besides Rs. 20,000/- towards contingency per year. This scheme was launched on 11th November, 2014. 46 students have been benefitted with this scheme in last three years. During the Financial Year 2016-17, Rs. 0.86 lakh as released under the scheme.

7.6 The Government of India has initiated Sugmaya Bharat Abhiyan with an aim to make disabled friendly structures in Government and Private Organizations to ensure greater participation of differently-abled people. It is now made mandatory for All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approved institutions to have barrier free structure to encourage persons with disabilities for technical education.

PRIME MINISTER’S SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR JAMMU & KASHMIR 7.7 Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir envisages building capacities of the youth of J&K to enable them to pursue technical education in the normal course. Scholarship to meet the expenditure towards tuition fees, hostel fees, cost of books and other incidental charges is provided to the eligible students, who are in the merit list. Total 5000 scholarships are available under PMSSS every year in which 4500 are for General Degree courses, 250 for engineering courses and 250 for Medical/BDS courses. Scholarship to the eligible students are granted purely on Merit Basis and as per the stream-wise quota i.e. 4500 seats for General degree, 250 seats for Engineering and 250 seats for Medical/BDS. Inter-se merit of 12th Standard exam is used for considering the students under the scheme. There is a provision of interchange ability of slots among General, Medical and Engineering Streams, subject to the savings accruing from a shortfall in the number of General Degree Stream quota of students. Scholarship amount disbursed to students is as given under:

Sl. Stream Number of Academic Fee Maintenance Charges Scholarships Limits No. 1 General Degree 4500 Upto Rs 30000/- Uniformly Rs. 1.00 Lakh for all 2 Engineering Degree 250 Upto Rs. 1.25 Lakh

3 Medical/BDS 250 Upto Rs. 3.0 Lakh

Total Scholarships 5000

7.8 The admissions to the students are given through counseling organized by the AICTE in cooperation with the Jammu & Kashmir Government in Srinagar, Jammu &Leh during the month of July every year for allotment of seats for the eligible students based on inter-se-merit in institutions approved by the Regulatory Bodies of Government of India/University Grants Commission under Section 12 (B) /All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi. 2780 scholarships have been disbursed during Academic Year 2017-18.

7.9 The Committee observes that all these Schemes are meant for providing an opportunity to students to enable them to complete higher studies and become eligible for teaching in higher educational institutions and for getting gainful employment in Central/States/private sector services. The objective behind all these Schemes is very laudable. The Committee can only emphasize that these schemes need to be administered in the real sense, with the benefit reaching the targeted beneficiaries. The Committee would like to have an impact assessment of these schemes in the action taken replies furnished by the Department.

7.10 The Committee finds it's satisfactory that a number of initiatives have been taken for integrating the differently-abled students towards mainstream higher education. These initiatives are indeed major steps for providing equal opportunities to such students. The Committee, however, feels that initiatives will have more impact if awareness about such facilities is dissipated among the targeted students. Every conceivable effort has to be made to sensitize such students towards the kind of opportunities waiting for them. Details of all schemes for differently-abled students should be mandatorily displayed on the websites of UGC, AICTE and IGNOU and also all categories of universities. In addition, strict and constant monitoring at all level is also required so as to ensure that all such initiatives for differently-abled students are being implemented in the real sense. For both these aspects, Department being the nodal authority for higher education in the country, will have to take the lead role.

VIII. FACULTY POSITION 8.1 The Department of Higher Education in its replies submitted that the total no. of sanctioned teaching posts in Central Universities(CU) under purview of UGC is 17106 (2421 Professor, 4807 Associate Professor, 9878 Assistant Professor). Out of the total sanctioned teaching posts of 17106, 5997 teaching posts are lying vacant (1323 Professor, 2217 Associate Professor, 2457 Assistant Professor). However, Central universities are adopting different methods/process to address faculty shortages in order to ensure that studies of students are not affected, which inter- alia, include hiring ad-hoc faculty, Guest Faculty, Contract Faculty and Re-employment. The details of faculty employed in Central Universities on ad-hoc basis, Guest Faculty, contract of basis and on re-employed are as under:-

Adhoc Guest Contract Re-employed Total Faculty basis 161 1569 853 82 2665

8.2 After taking into account the above ad-hoc/guest faculty/contract/ re-employed positions, UGC has reported that teaching vacancy positions comes to about 19%. UGC has taken up steps to fill up the vacant positions. As there is no ban on filling up the teaching positions, UGC has sent several letters to the universities to expedite the filling up of vacant teaching positions. In the UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the maintenance of standards in Higher Education 2010, UGC has clearly mentioned that all the sanctioned / approved posts in the university system are required to be filled up on an urgent basis.

8.3 While approving the Budget Estimate (Non-Plan) and Revised Budget Estimate (Non- Plan), from the year 2010-11 onwards twice in a year, all the Central Universities have been requested by the UGC to fill up the teaching positions at the earliest. Further, in order to meet the situation arising out of shortage of teachers in universities and other teaching institutions and the consequent vacant positions therein, the age of superannuation for teachers in Central Educational Institutions has already been enhanced to sixty five years; vide Department of Higher Education letter No. F.1-19/2006-U.II dated 23.3.2007.

8.4 Besides, subject to availability of vacant positions and fitness, teachers can also be re- employed on contract appointment beyond the age of sixty five years upto the age of seventy years. Re-employment beyond the age of superannuation shall, however, be done selectively, for a limited period of 3 years in the first instance and then for another further period of 2 years purely on the basis of merit, experience, area of specialization and peer group review and only against available vacant positions.

8.5 UGC has also framed the guidelines for empanelment of Adjunct-Faculty in Universities and Colleges. These guidelines enable higher educational institutions to access eminent teachers and researchers who have completed their formal association with University / College, to participate in teaching, to collaborate and to stimulate research activities for qualifying research at M.Phil. and Ph. D. levels, and to play a mentoring & inspirational role.

8.6 Further, UGC initiated a scheme called Operation Faculty Recharge for augmenting the research and teaching resources of universities to tackle the shortage of faculty in the university system. Occurring of vacancies and filling up is a continuous process. UGC continuously monitors it with Universities. However, the onus of filling up the teaching posts lies on Central Universities which are autonomous bodies created under Acts of Parliament.

8.7 The Department in its replies submitted that the current faculty strength in IITs is 5394 as against sanctioned strength of 8006 in all 23 IITs as on 01.09.2017. One of the reasons for this is non-availability of qualified candidates for faculty positions in IITs. However, the IITs are taking various steps to address the shortage, which include engaging faculty on contract and visiting faculty, year-round open advertisements, holding of selection committee meetings through video conferencing, invitation to alumni, scientists, faculty from India and abroad to reach out to potential candidates, advertisements in international journals to attract the attention of professionals abroad, introducing outstanding young faculty awards, etc. Further, Government has decided to allow faculty working under the Central Government or Central Autonomous Bodies, to join the newly set up Central Education Institutes on long-term deputation, for a period of ten years. The Institutes are also allowed to appoint Non- Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to permanent faculty positions.

8.8 The Department in its replies to the questionnaire submitted that at present 3589 faculty posts stand vacant in 31 NITs and IIEST, Shibpur against the sanctioned strength of 7436. Consequent upon approval of the Council of NITSER in its 10th meeting held on 26th May, 2017, the Recruitment Rules for faculty have been issued by MHRD. As a result of the above step, the NITs have initiated steps to fill up vacant faculty posts. It is expected that a large no. of posts will be filled.

8.9 AICTE has introduced schemes namely Margdarshan, Adjunct Faculty etc. to address the issue of shortage of faculty in the AICTE Approved Technical Institutions. Further, the AICTE Council in its meeting held on 14th March, 2017 took a decision to prepare a long-term Perspective Plan for technical education in India, so that quality issues could be addressed in a focused and planned way and state level planning be done accordingly. A Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. H.P. Khincha, Former Vice Chancellor, Visvesvarayya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi and Prof. Emeritus, IISc, Bengaluru has been constituted to oversee the preparation of the Perspective Plan. The Perspective Plan is supposed to address several issues and challenges of technical education including faculty shortage.

8.10 The Committee has been voicing its concern from time to time on the acute shortage of faculty in higher educational institutions across the country. The Committee is anguished to find out that right from well established Central Universities to those set up recently, State universities as well as private universities, premier institutions like IITs, NITs and IIMs, this problem has been continuing as the biggest handicap for the development and growth of Higher Education vis-a-vis maintaining the quality of education. Situation continues to be grim with no improvement forthcoming in the near future. The Committee points out that the availability of adequate and qualified faculty is a pre-requisite for quality education. The Committee is convinced by the steps taken by Department like increase in the retirement age up to 65 years, improvement of salary structures. But that is not the solution. The Committee also points out that there can be only two possibilities, either our young students are not attracted towards the teaching profession or the recruitment process is a prolonged one and involves too many procedural formalities or both. The Committee feels that both the issues need to be addressed to on priority basis. The Department being the nodal authority for the entire country so far as higher education sector is concerned has to take proactive role so as to expedite the filling up a existing vacancies by drawing a practicable deadline.

8.11 The Committee recommends that recruitment process should start well in advance before the post is vacated so that after retirement the newly recruited person takes up position immediately. The Ministry should work in tandem with Institutions to have this exercise done on yearly-basis and recruitment must be complete in advance so that shortage does not develop into crisis. At the same time, the Department should work out a strategy so as to attract the bright students to the teaching profession. The Committee also suggests that in order to make the teaching profession more attractive, the faculty should be encouraged to undertake consultancy and are given start-up financial support.

IX. GLOBAL INITIATIVE OF ACADEMIC NETWORKS (GIAN)

9.1 The Department in its presentation submitted that the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) in Higher Education was launched on 30th November, 2015. The programme seeks to invite distinguished academicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, experts from premier institutions from across the world, to teach in the higher educational institutions in India. The Scheme envisages garnering the international experience into our systems of education, enabling interaction of students and faculty with the best academic and industry experts from all over the world. Under this programme the international faculty would conduct one to two week course at an Indian institution. The upper limit of overall expenditure allowed for each such course is $8000 for 12-14 hours and $12000 for 20-28 hours course.

9.2 The Department in its replies submitted that till date, 1417 courses have been approved by the Apex Committee. Out of these 1417 courses, nearly 1032 courses have already been organized and faculty member represent around 58 countries. Most of the courses are video recorded. This enables others to view the content later through the host institution’s website and national GIAN portal and the National Digital Library. During 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 an amount of Rs. 35 crore, Rs. 20 crore and Rs. 25 crore respectively, were released for the Scheme. The allocation for GIAN was increased to Rs. 30 crores in FY 2018-19. These courses are being looked at as a starting point for long term research collaboration between Indian Institutions and other Global Institutions and therefore signal the commencement of a major chapter in the higher educational system.

9.3 The Department further added that Student/participants registration facility is opened in the GIAN portal for the students from all over India to register for the courses. The increase in allocation of funds for 2018-19 will be utilized for conducting the courses which will also be increased during the next financial year i.e. 2018-19. 9.4 The Committee welcomes this initiative to invite distinguished academicians, entrepreneur’s, scientists, experts from premier institutions from across the world to teach in higher educational institutions in India, hence promoting international collaborations and improvements in quality of higher education in India. The Committee, however, would like to recommend that the Department should provide adequate facilities and research facilities in the premier educational and scientific institutions so that these institutions not just attract global faculty but also international students.

X. NATIONAL RESEARCH PROFESSORSHIP

10.1 Government of India had instituted the scheme of National Research Professorship to honour distinguished academicians and scholars in recognition of their contribution to knowledge. Persons of real eminence who have attained the age of 65 years and who have made outstanding contribution in their respective fields and are still capable of productive research are considered for appointment as National Research Professors. The total number of posts for serving NRPs is 12(maximum). The appointment is made initially for a period of 5 years which is extendable by another term of 5 years. Thereafter, a National Research Professor is entitled to life pension.

10.2 The post of National Research Professor carries an honorarium of Rs.75,000/- per month. At present against a total of 12 posts for serving NRPs, a total of 5 posts are filled. The number of vacant positions is 7. The payment of Honorarium of Rs.75,000/- is being currently made to 5 serving NRPs. The scheme is being re-visited and under examination in the Ministry.

10.3 The Committee feels that this scheme of National Research Professorship is a novel scheme to promote research work in the Higher Educational Institution and widen the frontiers of knowledge in the specialized areas. The Committee recommends that the Department should fill up the vacant position and also increase the funding for research under the scheme.

XI. IISER & IIM

IISER

11.1 IISERs are envisaged to carry out research in frontier areas of science and to provide quality science education at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. The central theme of the IISER is to integrate education with research so that under-graduate teaching as well as doctoral and post-doctoral research work are carried out in symbiosis. Students are encouraged to carry out research projects during the vacation periods in the first four years of their Masters programme in various research institutes outside IISER.

11.2 Presently there are 7 IISERs of which five IISERs were established in the year 2006- 07.The two new IISERs at Berhampur in Odisha and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh have been established during 2015-16. Since the permanent campuses of the five IISERs are nearing completion, the allocation of funds under capital heads for construction activities in the next financial year have been reduced. However, funds under the revenue head will continue to be released. Thus a marginal decrease in allocation of funds amounting to Rs. 689.00 crore in 2018- 19 has been made.

IIM

11.3 During the year 2015-16, six IIMs were established at Amritsar (Punjab), Bodh Gaya (Bihar), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Sambalpur (Odisha), Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh) and Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Thereafter, in 2016, one more IIM was established in Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir). All the seven new IIMs are functioning from their temporary / transit campuses. The funds allocated for operationalisation of these new IIMs from their temporary campuses during initial years and the amount of funds released as on 30.01.2018 is as follows: (Amount in crore)

S.No Name of Institute Approved Releases made . (year of establishment) outlay as on 30.01.2018

1 IIM Visakhapatnam (2015-16) 79.00 49.97 2 IIM Amritsar (2015-16) 79.00 35.67 3 IIM Bodh Gaya (2015-16) 79.00 26.50 4 IIM Nagpur (2015-16) 79.00 41.51 5 IIM Sambalpur (2015-16) 79.00 36.08 6 IIM Sirmaur (2015-16) 79.00 35.23 7 IIM J & K (2016-17) 61.90 35.67

11.4 The Committee would like to point out that funds for five IISERs has been reduced. The Committee feels that the IISERs are premier institutions providing quality science education and any decrease in funding would adversely affect their functioning. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the funding for the five new IISERs should be enhanced for the smooth functioning of these institutes.

11.5 The Committee is happy to note that new IIMs have been opened in the last few years to cater to the increasing demand for quality higher technical educational institutions. The Committee, however, would like to point out that while creating new IIMs, the Department should also ensure provision of adequate funds for the development of infrastructure in these higher educational institutions.

11.6 The Committee desires that the Department should ensure that these institutions are functioning from permanent campuses. A time line needs to be drawn and all efforts need to be made in co-ordination with all stakeholders including the State Government to facilitate the setting up of the permanent campuses for these institutions. The Committee also desires that since all these institutions will be our premier institutions of national importance, and all requisite resources, financial or otherwise should be adequately given.

XII. WOMEN EDUCATION

12.1 Women education is one of the important components of UGC’s policy of equity and access. The Commission has launched several schemes to encourage the enrolment and promotion of girls in higher education which are given below :

(i) Financial Assistance to universities and colleges for construction of women’s hostels. (ii) Financial Assistance for establishment of Day Care Centers to help women to continue their academic career. (iii) Indira Gandhi Scholarship to Single Girl Child. (iv) Assistance for capacity building for women managers in Higher Education. (v) Post-Doctoral fellowships for women. (vi) Establishment of Women’s studies centers. (vii) Additional assistance to universities & colleges with more women enrolment. (viii) Model Degree Colleges in 374 districts with low GER. (ix) One new scheme of Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Humanities and Social Sciences was introduced by UGC for doctoral studies.

12.2 UGC has been implementing various schemes for post-doctoral, doctoral and scholarship studies where there is fair representation of female students. Besides the generic schemes, two specific schemes are being implemented by UGC for female students namely Post-doctoral fellowship for Women and Post Graduate Indira Gandhi scholarship for Single Girl Child.

PRAGATI 12.3 AICTE is implementing PRAGATI Scheme - Scholarship Scheme for Girl Child(SSGC).It was found that at the diploma and degree level of technical education, the number of girl students is less and decreasing. In order to arrest further decrease and with the objective to encourage the academically inclined and willing girls to pursue technical education, this Scheme was introduced from the Academic Year 2014-15, by providing the facility of scholarship to one girl child per family across India.

12.4 The girl child gets the scholarship for the full duration of the three year course of diploma level and four years of degree level with the funding limit per year of Rs. 30,000/- towards tuition fee and Rs. 20,000/- towards contingency per year. 4000 scholarships, 2000 each are available for diploma and degree level students. Scholarships remaining un-awarded in any one level are awarded to eligible applicants from the other level. Reservation for scholarship are at par with the Central Reservation Policy, i.e., about 15% to SC, 7.5% to ST and 27% for OBC (NCL only). The reserved seat scholarship of a category remaining unfilled for want of eligible candidate shall go to the general category.1604 students have been benefitted with this scheme since 2014. A sum of Rs. 414.92 lakh was released to 1724 beneficiaries during the Financial Year 2016-17.

Sl. Category of Students Number of Amount released (in Lakhs) No. beneficiaries

1 General (Open) 432 106.60

2 SC 227 49.36

3 ST 67 15.36

4 OBC 998 243.60

Total 1724 414.92

PRERANA 12.5 This scheme being implemented by AICTE aims at providing the financial support to the Institutes who are willing to put extra efforts for encouraging SC/ST students to go for Higher Education and impart Training/ Coaching for qualifying admission tests e.g. GATE/CAT/CMAT etc. for the admission in the renowned Institutions.

12.6 With a view to improving female enrolment in the B.Tech Programmes in IITs, a Committee under the chairmanship of Director, IIT-Mandi was constituted by the Joint Admission Board (JAB) to suggest suitable measures. The recommendations of the Committee were considered by the IIT Council in its 51st meeting held on 28.04.2017 and decided to increase female enrolment from the current 8% to 14% in 2018-19, 17% in 2019-20 and 20% in 2020-21 by creating supernumerary seats.

12.7 The Committee observes that Higher education provided to women would mean independence in decision making and economic independence. It would develop capabilities to discharge duties and responsibilities in the fields of social, economic, political and cultural grounds.

12.8 The Committee feels that the new Swami Vivekanand scholarship for research in humanities and social sciences introduced by UGC is a welcome step to encourage women scholars to take up doctoral studies in humanities and social science. The Committee would however like to be apprised of the number of scholarships to be awarded and account to be disbursed under this scheme .

12.9 The Committee points out that Technical education contribute a major share to the overall education system and play a vital role in the social and economic development of our nation and believe that women have definite role to play. Technical knowledge is becoming an indispensable part of our living. Today the advancements made in the field of science and engineering has made life sophisticated and moreover, has improved the quality of life. These technical fields need the support of highly qualified experts. Technical Education is instrumental in making the remarkable contribution to economic growth of the Developing Countries by way of suitable manpower production according to the needs of the Industry, Society and the Global World as a whole. To produce fully skilled manpower/ knowledgeable technocrats in the present era of science and technology is the need of the hour. XIII. PANDIT MADAN MOHAN MALVIYA NATIONAL MISSION ON TEACHERS AND TEACHING (PMMMNMTT) 13.1 With the fast pace of expansion of the education system in the country, both at school and higher education stages, improving quality has come to occupy centre stage in educational development. Needless to say, teachers hold the key for success of any effort in this direction. Attention, therefore, has to be focused on the preparation of teachers and their working conditions in classrooms, schools and colleges, as also their continuous professional development. Hence, with the above background, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India launched the Central Sector Scheme of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers & Teaching having All India coverage, on 25th December, 2014 with an outlay of Rs. 900 crores.

13.2 The Mission aims at addressing comprehensively all issues related to teachers, teaching, teacher preparation, professional development, curriculum design, and developing assessment & evaluation methodology, research in developing effective Pedagogy. This is one of the major thrust areas of action of the Government. The Mission addresses, on one hand, current and urgent issues such as supply of qualified teachers, attracting talent into teaching profession and raising the quality of teaching in schools and colleges. On the other, the Mission will pursue long term goals of building a strong professional cadre of teachers by setting performance standards and creating top class institutional facilities for innovative teaching and professional development of teachers.

13.3 A total of 64 proposals from various Universities/Institutes from all over the country have been approved till now for setting up institutional arrangements under various components of the Scheme. The Mission consists of the following components:-

Sl. No. Name of the Component Total Number set Number to up till now be set up

1. Schools of Education (in Central Universities) 30 12 2. Centres of Excellence for Curriculum and 50 34 Pedagogy 2.1 Centres of Excellence in Science and 5 3 Mathematics Education

2.2 Teaching Learning Centres 25 25 2.3 Faculty Development Centres 20 6 3. Inter-University Centres for Teachers 2 2 Education 4. National Resource Centre for Education 1 1 5. Centres for Academic Leadership and 5 3 Education Management

6. Innovations, Awards, No specific number 9 Teaching Resource Grant, including Workshop &Seminar

7. Subject Networks for Curricular Renewal and No specific number 3 Reforms

8. Induction Training programmes of newly 40 - recruited faculty in higher education

9. Academic Leadership Development 10 - programme for senior academic and administrative functionaries of higher/secondary education institutions

Total 64

13.4 The Committee appreciates the steps taken by the Department through this mission to address the issues relating to teachers and improving the quality of education being imparted. The Committee further recommends that the Department should provide pre- service & in-service training through existing and new institutional structures new academic programmes & courses, strengthened post-graduate and doctoral programmes and online training.

XIV. INTEREST SUBSIDY AND CONTRIBUTION FOR GUARNTEE FUNDS

14.1 The Department in its outcome budget submitted that the allocation for interest subsidy and contribution for guarantee funds scheme was increased to Rs. 2150 crores in FY 2018-19 from Rs. 1950 crores FY 2017-18. The Department submitted that this scheme provides full interest subsidy during the period of moratorium i.e course period plus one year, on education loan taken by students from economically weaker sections.

14.2 The Committee appreciates the increase in the allocation of fund to this scheme to provide interest subsidy to education loan to students from economically weaker sections. The Committee hopes that this scheme is implemented by the Department in an effective manner. The Committee is also of the view that this scheme would effectively increase the enrolment of students in Technical/Professional Courses in Higher Educational Institutions across the country by increasing the affordability.

XV. WORLD CLASS INSTITUTIONS

15.1 The Department in its outcome budget submitted that Rs. 250 crores in FY 2018-19 had been allocated to this scheme make world class institutions as compared to provision of Rs. 50 crores in FY 2017-18. The Department further added that 10 public institutions and 10 private institutions would be identified to make world class institutions.

15.2 The Committee appreciates the increase in the budget for making 20 world class institutions both in the public and private sectors. The Committee would also like to recommend that these world class institutions would be able to provide quality education to domestic students at an affordable rate and also improve the ranking the selected educational institutions.

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