Review of the University Grants Commission (UGC) fellowships (NET and non-NET)
As a part of the overall process of bringing about change in the higher education sector, and improving access, quality, impact and equity in the Universities, the Ministry of Human Resource Development is in the process of reviewing the current research framework, efforts, opportunities, quality and output A key imperative is the need to encourage and expand quality research in diverse fields.
- For over two decades, the All India National Eligibility Test (NET), a competitive examination conducted twice a year by the University Grants Commission (UGC) has been the basis for the Research Fellowships, currently almost nine thousand that enable students to pursue MPhil and PhD programmes. The Non-NET Fellowship Scheme was introduced by the UGC in 2006. it is presently limited only to fifty institutions including Central Universities and those with Potential for Excellence. Almost thirty-five thousand students are presently availing of these Fellowships. The University Grants Commission has from December 2014, enhanced the support provided to Research Fellowships based on the NET. The revision is only limited to the fellowship amounts and not in the coverage of students. The Non-NET Fellowship has not been revised. The fellowships (NET and Non-NET) require a review.
- The Government has decided to establish a Review Committee to go into the issues related to the research fellowships provided by the UGC, covering both NET and Non-NET fellowships. The Committee will have the following members:
(i) Prof. Gautam Barua, former Director, llT, Guwahati………………………………………………….Chairperson
(ii) Prof. Syed Bari, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Guiarat…………………………………..Member
(iii) Prof. Kuldeep Agnihotri, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Himachal Pradesh………… Member
(iv) Dr. Meena Rajiv Chandawarkar, Vice Chancellor, Karnataka StateWomen‘s University …..Member
(v) Secretary, University Grants Commission… ………………………………………………………….Member-Convenor
- The following will be the Terms of Reference of the Committee:
a) Determining the feasibility of enhancing the coverage of NET fellowships, which are merit based,
b) Establishing a transparent system of transfer of fellowship amounts each month to the Non-NET fellows, which is presently being done on a reimbursement basis, and without the Direct Benefit Transfer mandated by the Government,
c) Bringing the benefits and opportunities of the Non-NET fellowship scheme to a larger number of Universities, including State Universities,
d) Considering economic and other criteria for eligibility for non-NET fellowships.
e) Recommending guidelines for the selection: coverage, award, and administration of the non-NET fellowships.
- The Review Committee will submit its report to the Ministry within December 2015 The Committee shall cease to function on the day it submits its report to the Government.
- The UGC shall provide all secretarial assistance and logistics support to the Chairman and Members of the Committee. This will .include expenditure on travel and accommodation of the Committee on its visits for conducting interaction with higher educational institutions and academics.
- The Committee may devise its own methodology and processes for its functioning. The Committee may also engage Experts, rapporteurs and raconteurs as required by it for enabling smooth progress in its working. The expenditure for engagement of such Experts, rapporteurs and raconteurs may also be borne by the UGC.