University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to promote the concept of establishing cluster college universities across the country during the 12th Five Year Plan period. This would minimise the burden of existing State-run universities in inspecting and affiliating colleges of the existing universities.
A UGC concept document submitted to the Union Planning Commission has mooted the creation of 400 such cluster college universities in India between 2012 and 2017. Besides, 20 exclusive women’s universities and 10 Meta universities would be established, if all goes as planned.
Apart from this, the University Grants Commission has also decided to establish 800 constituent colleges in the existing 40 central universities. With these innovative approaches to provide access to higher education, the UGC is planning to increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) by 10 per cent from the current GER to 23.5 – 27 per cent.
