Autonomy to more Colleges
Maris Stella College and Sri Durga Malleshwara Siddhartha Mahila Kalasala, Vijayawada, two affiliated colleges under the Nagarujna University, Andhra Pradesh, have been conferred the autonomous status in a recent meeting of the Commission. The approval was based on the recommendations of specifically constituted expert committees which examined the credentials, potentials and track record of the institutions in teaching, research and extension. With this, there are 135 autonomous colleges in the country, spread over 29 Universities in 8 States. The autonomous status of two colleges in Indore (MP), viz., Kasturba Gram Rural Institute and Holker Model Science College, was extended for 5 more years on the recommendations of the expert committees regarding the efficient use of autonomy in previous years. The scheme of Autonomous Colleges provides the freedom to the colleges to determine and prescribe its own courses of study and syllabi; to prescribe rules for admission in consonance with the reservation policy of the respective State Governments; to evolve methods of assessment of student work, the conduct of examinations, and notification of results; and to use modern tools of educational technology with a view to achieving higher standards and greater creativity. UGC provides a financial assistance of upto Rs. 12 lakhs to PG colleges and upto Rs. 7 lakhs to UG colleges under this scheme for innovative academic activities in addition to the assistance under the various other schemes. The autonomy status and efficient utilization of autonomy have been stipulated as prerequisites for consideration of Colleges for the special Xth Plan Scheme for Colleges with Potential for Excellence. The following Table lists the number of Autonomous Colleges affiliated to various Universities in the different States:

STATE UNIVERSITY NO. OF COLLEGES
Innovative Programmes

ANDHRA PRADESH Andhra University
09
Nagarjuna University
04
Osmania University
08
GUJARAT Gujarat University
01
HIMACHAL PRADESH Himachal Pradesh University

05
MADHYA PRADESH A.P. Singh University 04
  Barkatullah University 02
  Devi Ahilya University 06
  Dr Hari Singh Gaur University 04
  Guru Ghasidas University 04
  Jiwaji University 03
  Rani Durgawati University 05
  Pt. Ravi Shankar University 07
  Vikram University 01
MAHARASHTRA S.N.D.T. Women’s University 01
  Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar 01
  Marathwada University 02
  Shivaji University 09
ORISSA Berhampur University 02
  Sambalpur University 06
  Utkal University 09
TAMIL NADU Bharathiar University 11
Bharathidasan University 09
Madras University 04
Madurai Kamaraj University 10
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University 02
Periyar University 02
UTTAR PRADESH Allahabad University 01
Kanpur University 01
Purvanchal University 02
TOTAL 29 135
Under the scheme of “Innovative Programmes”, the UGC, since 1983, has been supporting selected universities/institutes to introduce courses in the emerging areas, viz., Environmental Sciences, Atmospheric Science, Bio-technology, Electronics, Super conductivity etc., at under-graduate and post–graduate level for teaching and research. So far, 232 departments have been supported under this scheme. The UGC provides grant upto Rs.50.00 lakhs (i.e., Non-recurring – Rs.34.00 lakhs and Recurring – Rs.16.00 lakhs) to a university/institute.