**Summary:**
In response to a parliamentary inquiry on July 21, 2025, the Ministry of Education addressed the government's efforts to elevate Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in India to global standards. The cornerstone of this initiative is the Institutions of Eminence (IoE) Scheme, launched in 2017. This scheme aims to establish a distinct category of institutions with significant autonomy in academic, administrative, and financial matters, enabling them to achieve world-class academic and research status within a reasonable timeframe.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has provided a regulatory architecture to support the IoE scheme through the UGC Institutions of Eminence Deemed to be Universities Regulations, 2017 (for private institutions) and the UGC Declaration of Government Educational Institutions as Institutions of Eminence Guidelines, 2017 (for public institutions). To date, 12 institutions have been designated as Institutions of Eminence under this scheme.
Furthermore, the UGC has implemented various regulations, frameworks, and guidelines designed to enhance quality, promote innovation, and foster global competitiveness within Indian higher education. Key initiatives include the formulation of the National Credit Framework (NCrF) and the National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF).
Regarding the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's vision for a transformed regulatory system, the policy proposes the establishment of a National Accreditation Council (NAC) as a vertical of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). The NAC will be responsible for the accreditation of higher education institutions.
Key Entities Referenced
National Education Policy NEP: A national policy by the Government of India, established in 2020, that provides a comprehensive framework for the development of education from primary to higher levels.
Higher Education Commission of India HECI: Proposed regulatory body envisioned by the National Education Policy 2020 to oversee higher education in India.
National Accreditation Council NAC: Proposed accreditation body envisioned by the National Education Policy 2020 to assess and accredit higher education institutions in India. Intended to be a vertical of the Higher Education Commission of India.
World Class Institutions Scheme: A scheme launched in 2017 (also known as Institutions of Eminence IoE Scheme) to establish world-class academic and research institutions in India.
Institutions of Eminence IoE: A category of higher education institutions in India selected under the World Class Institutions Scheme to receive greater autonomy and support to achieve global standards.
UGC Institutions of Eminence Deemed to be Universities Regulations, 2017: Regulations established by the University Grants Commission for private institutions aspiring to be recognized as Institutions of Eminence.
UGC Declaration of Government Educational Institutions as Institutions of Eminence Guidelines, 2017: Guidelines established by the University Grants Commission for public institutions aspiring to be recognized as Institutions of Eminence.
National Credit Framework NCrF: A framework for standardizing credit accumulation and transfer in education and training.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3
ANSWERED ON 21/07/2025
Higher Educational Institutes at par with Global Standards
†3. Shri Satpal Brahamchari:
Shri Azad Kirti Jha:
Shri Jugal Kishore:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to bring Higher Educational
Institutions (HEIs) in the Country at par with global standards;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether any roadmap has been prepared/being prepared for the National Assessment and
Accreditation Council envisaged in the National Education Policy (NEP) along with details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) and (b): World Class Institutions Scheme, also known as Institutions of Eminence (IoE)
Scheme was launched in 2017 to create distinct category of institutions with great deal of
autonomy in academic, administrative and financial matters so as to emerge as World Class
Academic and Research Institutions in a reasonable time period. An enabling regulatory
architecture has been provided by the ‘UGC (Institutions of Eminence Deemed to be
Universities) Regulations, 2017’ for private institutions and ‘UGC (Declaration of Government
Educational Institutions as Institutions of Eminence) Guidelines, 2017’ for public institutions.
12 institutions have been notified as Institutions of Eminence (IoE) under this scheme.
Further, UGC has notified several regulation/framework/guidelines to elevate Higher
Education in the country to Global Standards by ensuring quality innovation and global
competitiveness. Some of the initiatives are formulation of National Credit Framework (NCrF),
National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF) etc.
(c): For transforming the Regulatory System of Higher Education, the National Education
Policy (NEP), 2020 envisions a National Accreditation Council (NAC) for accreditation of
institutions as one of the verticals of Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).
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