HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
Coordination and determination of standards in higher education is a
subject in the Union List and is a special responsibility of the Central Gov-
ernment. This responsibility is discharged mainly through the University-
Grants Commission which was established under an Act of Parliament Seven
Universities are, at present functioning under Acts of Parliament. Besides,
the Central Government have established agencies for promotion and coordina-
tion of research efforts in specialised fields. There are three such national
agencies at present, namely the Indian Council of Social Science Research,
the Indian Council of Historical Research and the Indian Council of Philo-
sophical Research. The Central Government have also been implementing a
number of schemes in the field of higher education and research, including
those relating to academic collaboration between India and other countries.
A. UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION
Trends and Growth of Higher The student enrolment in universities and colleges increased from
Education 29.52 lakhs in 1981-82 to 31.37 lakhs in 1982-83. The rate of growth
was 6.3 per cent against 7.3 percent in the previous year. The number of
students in the university departments was 5.50 lakhs and in colleges
25.87 lakhs.
Enrolment in the Faculty of Arts constituted 39.7 per cent of
the total enrolment. In the Faculties of Science and Commerce the Per-
centage was 1.9.7 and 21.8 respectively. Enrolment at the first degree
level was 27.45 lakhs (87.5%) ; at post-graduate level 3.07 lakhs (9.8%) ;
at research level 0.38 lakhs (1.2%) and at diploma and certificate level
0.46 lakhs (1.5%). Compared to 1981-82, the major increase was
only at the first-degree level.
The number of teachers increased to 2.11 lakhs. Of these 0.46 lakhs
were in the university departments/university colleges and the rest in the
affiliated colleges. Of the 46343 in the universities, 4616 were Profes-
sors, 10294 Readers, 29499 Lecturers and 1934 Tutors and Demonstra-
tors. In the affiliated colleges, the number of senior teachers was 16.436
and 1,41,211 were lecturers.
During 1982-83, four new universities were established. These are
Amravati University, Amravati (Maharashtra); Guru Ghasi Das Vishwa-
vidyalaya, Bilaspur (Madhya Pradesh) ; Sri Padma Vati Vishwavidya-
laya, Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) and Gandhiji University, Kottayam
(Kerala). The number of affiliated colleges increased from 4886 to 5012
in 1982-83.
Higher Education among Women The enrolment of women students during 1982-83 was 8.93 lakhs
against 8.17 lakhs in 1981-82. The percentage of women students in-
creased from 27.7 per cent in 1981-82 to 29.8 per cent in 1982-83. At
the post-graduate level, the enrolment of women was 29.8 per cent of the
total enrolment. Enrolment of women students was the highest in Kerala
(48.2%) followed by Delhi (47.7%), Punjab (41.9%) and Jammu
& Kashmir (41.8%). The percentage was the lowest in Bihar (15.4%).
Activities during 1982-83 The programmes implemented by the Commission broadly fall into
four major categories --
(1) Special programmes for Improvement of Quality,
(2) Support for Research.
(3) Development of Universities.
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(4) Development of Colleges.
Special Programmes for The Commission is at present providing assistance to
Improvement of Quality Advanced Study and 60 Departments of Special Assistance in Science,
Engineering and Technology and 10 Centres of Advanced Study and 23
(a) Centres of Advanced Study Departments of Special Assistance in Humanities and Social Science
and Departments of Special During 1983-84, the Commission had examined the proposals from 54
Departments in Science and Engineering for Special Assistance and accept-
ed them.
(b) Departmental Research Support At present 42 Departmental Research Projects in Science and one in
Humanities and Social Sciences are under implementation.
(c) College, Science Improvement The Commission is presently assisting 191 Colleges under COSIP and
Programme (COSIP), College 40 University Departments under ULP in Science. Similarly 188 Colleges
Humanities and Social Science Under COHSSIP and 16 University Department under ULP in Humanities
Improvement Programme and Social Science are receiving assistance from the Commission.
(COHSSIP); and University
Leadership Programmes
(ULP)
(d) Panels in Science, Humanities & Special Committees and Working Groups have been set up to prepare
Social Science detailed curricula including modernisation of laboratories, and develop-
ment of innovative courses in Electronics, Physics, Chemistry, Mathe-
matics and Biology. Under-Graduate Curriculum has been finalised in
Home Science.
(e) Common Facilities and The Commission has been trying to develop certain facilities at the
Services national level for the use of university scientists. A variable energy cyclo-
lion facility has already been functioning at Calcutta. 19 major research
projects are under implementation with the use of these facilities.
A Centre for Science Information is to be established at the Indian
Institute of Science, Bangalore during 1983-84. The Centre would pro-
vide information to individual research scientists about current world pub-
lications in their subject fields and also copies of relevant papers published
in the journals, on request.
A Nuclear Science Centre as a major inter-University Research
Facality has recently been approved. This will be located in the Jawahar-
lal Nehru University Campus. A project Steering Committee has been
constituted for implementation of the project.
The Commission has also agreed to provide financial assistance to sup-
port research activities of university scientists for undertaking an integ-
rated Indian Scientific Programme called the "Indian Middle Atmosphere
Programme", as a multi-department/agency activity.
The Commission is presently considering the feasibility of setting up
of National faculties Centres in (i) Materials Research, (ii) Laser/Fibre
Optics; and (iii) Synchrotron Radiation Research.
(f) Wild Life Studies The Commission has taken steps to prepare textbooks and syllabi for
Wild Life Studies and reading material required for under-graduate teach
ing. Ten universities have been identified for teaching programmes in
wild life studies. The programmes will be undertaken in co-operation
with other agencies like the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Depart-
ment of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture.
(g) Environmental Studies An Expert Committee has been set up to advise on matters relating to
development, teaching, research and extension work in environmental
science in universities and colleges. Details for Special Programmes in
Environmental Engineering and Pollution have been finalised. Steps have
been initiated to prepare textbooks in environmental education.
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(h) Science Education The Commission has agreed to assist in the publication of four quarterly
journals in Science Education, namely, Physics Education, Chemistry
Education, Biology Education and Mathematics Education. The first
issue of these journals is expected in the first half of 1984. The Com-
mission has also decided to provide scholarships to meritorious and moti-
vated students to pursue higher education in Science. One hundred
scholarships have been offered to students from the list of NCERT Talent
Search Test.
(i) Nehru Studies The Commission has decided to assist proposals for promotion of
Nehru Studies. The programmes to be initiated include the institution of
National Fellowship every year for a senior scholar to undertake in-depth
studies on Nehru; award of Research Associateship and Junior Fellowship
for Pre-Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Studies on Nehru; introduction of
special optional papers at M.A. level in courses of History and Political
Science and organisation of seminar, symposia etc. on Nehru and his con-
tributions.
(j) Fellowship Programmes The number of National Fellowships has been increased from 20 to
30. The number of placements now available under the Programme of
National Associateship is 100 for one year, 150 for 3 years and 150
for 5 years. During 1983-84, 56 teachers have been selected for national
lecturership.
(k) Examination Reforms The Commission has suggested that beginning with examinations of
1983-84, every university should implement a minimum programme of
examination reforms. Most universities have responded favourably to
this suggestion.
(l) Computer Facilities The Commission is considering the possibility of providing Mini-
Computers in 100 to 200 selected Colleges and also introducing training
courses in these areas at selected centres.
(m) Mass Communication & In order to improve the quality of education and ensure access to it,
Educational Technology the Commission has agreed to set up six educational media and audio-
visual Research Centres at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Central
Institute of English and Foreign Languages, Hyderabad and Poona, Os-
mania, Gujarat and Roorkee universities. These Centres have started
functioning. A Programme Committee has been set up to consider the pos-
sibility of selecting or producing balanced and effective programmes of
higher education for broadcast through INSAT I-B; setting up of a Cell
in the Jamia Millia Islamia to examine the available commercial and non-
commercial video-tapes, audio-tapes and films for their suitability for use
through INSAT I-B programmes has also been approved and the cell has
started functioning.
(n) Revision of Scales of pay The Commission has set up a Committee to review the scales of pay
of Teachers of teachers in universities and colleges.
(o) Bilateral Exchange Programmes Thirty teachers from Indian universities went abroad and 48 foreign
scholars came to India under various Exchange Programmes. During
1983-84, under the Indo-US Fellowship Programmes, 8 scholars were
nominated for Fellowships of 10 months and 12 for Visitorships of 13
weeks each, from India. Under this programme, the USA will nominate
11 scholars for Fellowships and 12 for Short-term Visits. Four Joint Semi-
nars were held during 1983-84. These are an Indo-Canadian Workshop on
Educational Technology; an Indo-Canadian Workshop on History; an
Indo-Hungarian round table on Economics and an Indo-US Seminar on
Education for the Disabled.
Support For Research During the year the Commission approved 202 major research projects
(a) Major Research Projects in Science subjects and 29 in Humanities and Social Science involving a total
grant of Rs. 217.11 lakhs.
(b) Minor Research Projects 1082 minor research projects in Science and 432 in Humanities and
Social Sciences were approved involving an assistance of Rs. 93.82 lakhs
during the year.
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Development of Universities The development requirements of almost all the universities during the
Sixth Plan for institutional/general development have been assessed through
Visiting Committees. The recommendations of the Visiting Committees
have been approved in respect of 62 universities. The implementation of
these programmes including those already approved in the Sixth Plan is
expected to cost Rs. 80 crores.
Development of Colleges Basic assistance has been approved for about 2000 colleges. It is
expected that by the end of the next year this number will increase to 3,000.
proposals for development of under-graduate education from about 900
colleges have been approved. This number is likely to go up to 1500 by the
end of the current plan. Some 500 colleges are expected to be assisted
during the current plan for development of post-graduate education.
Higher Education among Scheduled Fifty-nine universities have established Special Cells to look after
Castes and Scheduled Tribes the implementation of various University Grants Commission Programmes
for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. These Cells are being assisted
by the University Grants Commission. The Commission has also formulat-
ed a Scheme for establishment of units to provide training, remedial teaching.
special coaching to remove the deficiencies of students belonging to Schedul-
ed Castes/Scheduled Tribes and to improve their performances in subjects
like Languages, Mathematics and Science. A Bursary scheme for students
belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes at the first degree level is
being introduced. 115 scholarships would be awarded during the current
year under this scheme. A Committee has been set up to consider measures
to be taken by universities to prepare Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe
students for various competitive examinations 'and on its recommendations
the Commission has decided that colleges and institutions catering largely
to the needs of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe students should be identi-
fied to provide special development assistance. Another Committee has
been set up to prepare teaching materials for teachers under teachers' training.
and orientation programme especially for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled
Tribe students
In January, 1983 the Commission appointed a Committee under the
Chairmanship of Dr. (Mrs) Madhuri R. Shah to enquire into the working of
the Central Universities and to suggest remedial action for causes of periodic
disturbances and measures for strengthening corporate life and other reforms.
The Committee submitted its report to the University Grants Commission in
November. 1983 and the same was considered by the Commission at its
meeting held on 13rd December, 1983. Various recommendations contain-
ed in the report are at present under process.
B. CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES
Aligarh Muslim University. The total number of students on rolls during 1982-83 was 16921
Aligarh these 5783 were enrolled in the schools, 4509 in colleges and institutions
and 6629 in the University departments. The number of fresh students
admitted in 1983-84 was 4230.
During 1983-84 95 Ph.D. degrees, 93 M.Phil, degrees, 2 D. Litt
degrees were awarded.
The 1983-84 academic session started by middle of August and is likely
to be completed on schedule. A serious academic atmospher has been re-
stored on the campus and the quality of life in the hostels has been signi-
ficantly improved. There have, however, been minor incidents of violence and
indiscipline, but these incidents have not led to any dislocation in the aca-
demic schedule.
The University has decided to implement the minimum programme of
reform in examinations suggested by the University Grants Commission. The
,Departments of Geography, Physics and Mathematics have been selected by
the University Grants Commission as Departments for Special Assistance.
School of Nursing has been opened to meet the acute demand for nurses.
scheme for starting Petroleum courses has been approved by the Univer-
sity Grants Commission. The Department of History has actively parti-
cipated in the excavations at Atranjia Khera near Fatehpur Sikri. New