There are two regulating bodies of Indian education, namely the University Grant Commission and AICTE. When discussing the Indian education system’s major regulators, knowing the difference between AICTE and UGC is always important. These regulatory bodies help standardize education and what rules and regulations to set. They share a common agenda to promote quality education and foster academic skills. Let’s compare the functioning of these two authorizing bodies.
University Grants Commission (UGC) vs AICTE
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is the final regulating academic authority of Universities in India. It was established in 1956, primarily with the mandate of serving as the recommending and deciding authority on standards of university education. This UGC plays a significant role in soothing the overall scenarios of higher education in the country.
1. Coordination and Determination of Standards: It also sets rates for the Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral studies in universities and colleges. This authorizing body maintains the standardization of every college and institute curriculum, its admission, syllabus, examination procedures, and teaching approaches.
2. Accreditation and Recognition: Many different universities and colleges are accredited by the UGC. Henceforth, it provides various courses and programs. It further provides grant-in-aid to National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
3. Providing Financial Assistance: The University Grants Commission (UGC) maintains the standard to help you ensure that universities and colleges are properly funded to help them further with research, staff, and infrastructure.
Functions of University Grant Commission
University Grant Commission (UGC) performs different function, some of them are as follows:
- UGC provides recognition to various colleges and institutions.
- UGC directly coordinates with colleges and institutions to monitor their activities.
- UGC has a right to promote innovation and research in higher education.
- Helps the colleges and universities with funds for different research and development projects.
- It helps in maintaining the standard with the style of teaching, examination, and research by setting up rules and regulations.
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is also a statutory body to help different colleges and institutions in technical education. AICTE was established in 1987 and from then up to this time, it has helped various institutions in the management of different courses and programs.
1. Approval of Institutions and Programs: AICTE recognizes and accredits new technical institutions/university departments and technical programs. AICTE also allows different institutions to grant the right to offer new programs and courses
2. Maintaining Standards: AICTE is mandated to lay down and determine academic standards and practices in technical education in India. This act proposes courses to be offered by technical institutions, the qualification of instructors, and facilities that technical institutions should have.
3. Quality Assurance: It plays a role in administering and coordinating technical education quality, accreditation, and evaluation institutions. The basic quality assurance in conducting courses and programs is in the hands of AICTE and, with the assistance of the National Board of Accreditation.
Functions of AICTE
AICTE also performs different functions for various colleges and universities. The major functions of AICTE are as follows:
- Approving and Accrediting Technical Education
- AICTE helps the universities and institutions to promote research and development in technical education
- Promoting curriculum and standards in college and institutions
- AICTE also provides funds to colleges for promoting technical institutions for development and different research projects.
- Regulationing the fees charged by different colleges and institutions for technical education.
UGC Vs. AICTE
| Features | UGC | AICTE |
| Scope | Covers all disciplines of higher education | Mainly focuses on technical education |
| Institutions | Regulates universities and colleges | Regulated Institution |
| Accreditation | NAAC | NBA |
| Funding | Grants to Universities and Colleges | Does not provide direct grants to Institutions |
| Curriculum | Set standards | Set Standards for technical education |
In comparison for UGC and AICTE, we end up covering major functions and regulations that are performed by both statutory bodies with respect to education. Where UGC found to have a broader scope covering all the regulations for higher education. Whereas AICTE majorly focuses on promoting technical education. Both regulators work together to ensure quality education along with promoting academic excellence.
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