Panel to examine UGC Act to empower colleges to grant degrees

The move comes close on the heels of the commission laying detailed guidelines for autonomous colleges to ensure proper management of academic, financial and general administrative affairs of these colleges.

If an autonomous college fails to maintain standards, the UGC and the affiliating university can direct the connected college to maintain standards or even consider revoking the autonomous status of that college.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Tharoor said any autonomous college, which has undergone three successive reviews with no adverse comments by expert committees after being granted autonomy, can function independently and there will be no further reviews by the UGC visiting committees.

However, having a UGC nominee on the governing board of such councils is a mandatory requirement.