**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1353, answered on July 28, 2025, by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, the Ministry provided information regarding the Institutes of Eminence (IoE) Scheme. Launched in 2017, the IoE Scheme aims to establish world-class academic and research institutions by granting significant autonomy in academic, administrative, and financial matters. A total of 114 applications were received and processed under the scheme, including 11 from greenfield institutions. Two greenfield institutions were initially recommended, but one application was later withdrawn by the sponsoring organization. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has established a regulatory framework for IoEs, providing autonomy in key areas such as academic freedom, recruitment, fee structure, and collaborations. Public IoEs are eligible for financial assistance of up to Rs 1000 Crore each.
Key Entities Referenced
Institutes of Eminence IoE Scheme: A scheme by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, aimed at creating world-class academic and research institutions by granting them autonomy in academic, administrative, and financial matters.
Ministry of Education: The government ministry responsible for education in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding the Institutes of Eminence Scheme was raised.
Shri G Kumar Naik: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question No. 1353 in Lok Sabha regarding the Institutes of Eminence Scheme.
DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education who answered the question about the Institutes of Eminence Scheme.
World Class Institutions Scheme: An alternative name for the Institutes of Eminence (IoE) Scheme, launched in 2017.
University Grants Commission (UGC): Statutory body responsible for coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of higher education in India. Has promulgated regulatory framework for Institutions of Eminence.
Greenfield Universities or Institutes: Newly established universities or institutes that applied for the IoE Scheme. Eleven applications were received under IoE scheme from greenfield institutions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1353
ANSWERED ON 28/07/2025
Institutes of Eminence Scheme
1353. Shri G Kumar Naik:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of Universities applied for the Institutes of Eminence (IoE) Scheme;
(b) the total number of such applications still lying under review;
(c) the total number of applications received under IoE Scheme from Greenfield Universities
or Institutes;
(d) the total number of selected Greenfield Institute for IoE Scheme and their present status;
and
(e) the types of support, including financial assistance or other resources provided to public
and private Universities designated as IoEs along with the accountability mechanisms in place
to ensure effective use of these resources and the achievement of high standards of excellence
expected under the scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (d): 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. A total of 114 applications
from higher educational institutions in India were received and processed under the IoE scheme
including eleven applications from greenfield institutions. Two greenfield category institutions
were recommended, out of which sponsoring organization of one of the institutions withdrew
the application at later stage.
(e): UGC has promulgated a regulatory architecture/framework for institutions notified as
Institutions of Eminence (IoE) in the form of Guidelines for public institutions and regulations
for private institutions. The framework provides for autonomy in key areas such as academic
freedom, recruitment, fee structure, collaborations etc. The public IoEs are also provided a
financial assistance of upto Rs 1000 Crore, each, under the scheme.
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