NITI proposes fee autonomy, infra financing agency for state universities

SPUs are universities established or incorporated by a state act and funded by state governments. Currently, there are 495 SPUs with over 46,000 affiliated institutions in India

Policy think-tank NITI Aayog has proposed fee autonomy, draft research policy and a dedicated infrastructure finance agency for state public universities (SPUs). This is among the 80 policy recommendations it made for expanding quality higher education in states.

 

SPUs are universities established or incorporated by a State Act, and funded by state governments. Currently, there are 495 SPUs with over 46,000 affiliated institutions across India. 

 

Highlighting financial constraints faced by SPUs, NITI Aayog said that inadequate state government grants cover only a fraction of a university’s operational expenses, with some falling short even for paying salaries. 

 

The policy think-tank has