UGC grants for DU unchanged, says Education Ministry
The Education Ministry told the Lok Sabha on Monday that UGC grants for Delhi University remain unchanged over the past five years. Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar responded to a written query, confirming that the Ministry provides block grants to the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the “Grants to Central Universities” scheme.
The UGC distributes funds to Central Universities based on their financial needs and past utilization. Majumdar shared data showing an increase in grants to Delhi University: ₹955 crore in 2023-24, ₹812 crore in 2022-23, ₹670 crore in 2021-22, ₹628 crore in 2020-21, and ₹607 crore in 2019-20. “The data clearly shows no reduction in grants,” Majumdar stated.
The Ministry also dismissed concerns about hostel allotments in central universities. Majumdar assured the House that universities follow clear guidelines for a fair, merit-based allocation. He said the government had not noticed any discrepancies in the process.
He emphasized that central universities function as autonomous bodies governed by their respective Acts and regulations. They follow established norms for hostel allotment to ensure transparency and fairness.
Majumdar outlined the criteria for hostel priority. Universities consider factors like distance from home, academic performance, social category, and special needs of differently-abled students.
