HRD ministry brokers peace in AICTE-UGC row

UGC to regulate degree awarding B-Schools, AICTE to look at PGDM courses

The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has found a middle ground in the dispute between University Grants Commission (UGC) and All-Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

According to MHRD sources, UGC is set to regulate Business-schools that offer a master’s degree in management and are affiliated to universities, while AICTE will regulate independent B-schools which offer a post-graduate diploma in management (PGDM).

The Supreme Court judgment did not question AICTE’s control over autonomous B-schools. The UGC was asked in to regulate all B-schools in the country and when it did not work, we decided to ensure that independent B-schools were regulated by AICTE,” said a senior MHRD official, on the condition of anonymity.

MHRD, the official added, was also looking at various means to restore the power of AICTE since the SC ruling in April 2013 and had planned measures, including an ordinance.

The decision taken by UGC and MHRD is expected to bring relief to independent B-schools, including SP Jain Institute, T A Pai Institute of Management, BIMTECH and XLRI, among others.

Under management education in India, there are two segments — master’s and diploma. The master’s degree is awarded by universities or institutes affiliated to universities, while a diploma is awarded by AICTE- recognised autonomous and independent institutes.

These institutes were planning to approach the SC shortly on this matter, as the imbroglio threatened to derail their plans for the next academic session. PGDM institutions need AICTE’s permission to run programmes and expand.

Last month, to address the absence of AICTE as a regulator, UGC had proposed independent B-Schools, which follow their own curriculum and set their own course fees, would also be required to obey the guidelines and seek affiliation to universities that function under UGC and adopt their syllabus. Following protests by the institutes, UGC decided not to extend the regulations to independent B-schools, which have been worried about losing their autonomy. Additionally, with 1.5 lakh students awaiting their common admission test results, expected on January 14, the government has been looking to find a solution.

AICTE Chairman Shankar S Mantha said he was not aware of any such decision. He said he had  maintained that AICTE's powers be restored. “AICTE is not fighting for PGDM institutions alone. We are here for technical education. As an Act of Parliament, AICTE's powers must be restored," Mantha said.

The SC ruling, which left the AICTE as an advisor was the result of a dispute between Bharathidasan University in Tamil Nadu, and AICTE over the need for approval of technical courses in colleges that come under the state university, therefore under UGC.