**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3628, answered on August 11, 2025, addressed concerns regarding the potential misutilization of funds under the Institutions of Eminence (IoE) scheme by Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Specifically, the question inquired whether BHU used IoE funds to hire consultants for non-academic work, and if so, whether this violated the tripartite agreement of the scheme.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, clarified that the IoE scheme provides funds for academic work and infrastructure development, with the goal of establishing student amenities and campuses comparable to globally reputed institutions. Universities participating in the IoE scheme are permitted to engage professionals on a contractual/deputation basis, subject to statutory restrictions and provisions of the General Financial Rules (GFR), without creating long-term liabilities for the government. Public category institutions are expected to independently pursue their path to global repute, guided by the regulatory framework established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in the form of guidelines for public IoEs. The response emphasizes the autonomy granted to IoEs in achieving their objectives within the established framework.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: The central government ministry responsible for education in India.
Department of Higher Education: A department within the Ministry of Education, responsible for higher education.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Institutions of Eminence (IoE) Scheme: A scheme to establish and develop higher education institutions in India to be world-class teaching and research institutions.
Banaras Hindu University (BHU): A central university located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, and one of the institutions under the IoE scheme.
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.
University Grants Commission (UGC): A statutory body established by the Indian Union government to coordinate, determine and maintain standards of university education in India.
General Financial Rules (GFR): A set of rules and regulations in India that govern financial matters.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3628
ANSWERED ON 11/08/2025
Misutilization of Fund under IoE Scheme
3628. Shri Rajeev Rai:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has utilized funds under the Institutions of
Eminence (IoE) scheme to hire consultants for non-academic work;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether such expenditure is in violation of the tripartite agreement signed under the scheme;
and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure strict compliance with the original objectives
of the IoE scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (d): Under World Class Institutions Scheme, also known as Institutions of Eminence
(IoE) Scheme, funds have been provided for academic work and creation of infrastructure
facilities. IoEs should have student amenities comparable with that of globally reputed
institutions and reasonably large owned campuses with adequate space for expansion. To
fulfill its objective, Universities may engage professionals on contractual/Deputation basis
without creating any long-term liabilities to the Government and subject to general restrictions
of the Statutes and provisions of GFR. The public category institutions are expected to choose
their own path to become an institution of global repute. The UGC has promulgated a
regulatory architecture/ framework for institutions notified as Institutions of Eminence (IoE)
in the form of Guidelines for public institutions.
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