The majority of the people support the view that universities should enjoy autonomy in their internal matters. To-day the view is expressed that uncalled for interference is made by the Central and State Government in matters concerning universities.
Some Vice-Chancellors and educationists have voiced their opposition for making Governors the Chancellors of universities. Opposition is also voiced against some government provisions like making the mother language as medium of education and regarding publication of books.
The Government action taken at the time of indiscipline and disorder in some university campus has also been criticised on the ground that political pressure increases in the universities by such actions. All these lead to a misunderstanding on the subject of university autonomy.
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It is a recognised fact that the basis of education in universities is independent teaching, guidance, study and thinking, etc. In the absence of freedom of thought healthy education system cannot survive.
But some disorder created due to autonomy in universities indicates a lack of experience in good administration and management of affairs. In the absence of proper control and due to sectarianism, mob- mentality and inter-rivalries among the teaching staff, the standard of education has gradually gone down.
On the other hand, if the universities are under the state administration rigidity enters in its organisation. The university authorities have to seek guidance and obey government orders and directives.
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They have to carry out these orders in the spirit of the letter and the government orders do not generally take into consideration their effect on any rule or constitution of the university. By a critical study of pros and cons of the Government interference we draw the conclusion that it is desirable to have government’s involvement only to a certain limit.
According to the Indian Constitution the university education is the responsibility of the State Government, but in India, Government relations with the university are not like those in other foreign countries like U.S.A, Britain and other European countries where either they are fully independent or completely under the control of the government.
Finance is the main problem of a university and it receives economic help from the government in the shape of grants. The other main aspect is the framing of rules, regulations and defining of the rights and privileges and this is under the government directive.
Sanctioning of grants and framing of policies is the right of legislature. In fact, it is the legislature that sanctions the opening of a new university. The university enjoys autonomy on all other matters.
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According to the Indian Constitution the responsibility of the Centre in the sphere of higher education is only to bring uniformity in the standard of education, encourage and develop research work, and arrange for technical and specialized education.
Besides a few other national scientific and technical institutions, the universities of Delhi, Varanasi, Aligarh, Osmania (Hyderabad) and Viswa Bharati and many others are under the direct control of the Central Government.
In special circumstances the Central Government has to cooperate and share the responsibilities of the State Governments as regards the university expenditure. Due to their financial responsibilities towards primary and secondary education and some other integrated schemes, the State Governments often find it difficult to meet their financial commitments. The Central Government, therefore, from time to time extends financial help to State Governments. Under these circumstances the implementation of schemes relating to higher education becomes doubtful. The setting up of University
Grants Commission is a noteworthy step on the part of the Central Government. The Central Government does not want to take the rights of the State Governments. The Central Government is always making efforts to promote co-operation between universities and national laboratories, extend special facilities for conducting scientific surveys and implement national policies, etc.