The University Grants Commission (UGC) has come up with a draft UGC (Fitness of Colleges for Receiving Grants) Rules, 2024. As per official sources, these rules will apply to all the colleges that are included under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956.
As per the draft guidelines, a College to which these Rules apply shall be declared to be fit to receive grants from the Central Government, the University Grants Commission (UGC), or any other Organization receiving funds from the Central Government, only if the UGC is satisfied that the college fulfils the following conditions.
The College has valid accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
OR
National Board of Accreditation (NBA) accreditation for at least 60% of the total eligible programes for accreditation for the Colleges offering more than three programmes. In case the number of programmes being offered is less than three, then each of the eligible programme must have been accredited.
OR
Ranked in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking in the respective category (thrice after participating 5 times/twice after participating thrice).
Application for recognition under clause 12B of the UGC Act, 1956
The College, fulfilling the eligibility criteria specified in these Rules may apply 'online' to the University Grants Commission for considering the application for its recognition under Section 12B of the UGC Act, 1956 along with the processing fee as decided by the University Grants Commission from time to time.