No Reduction In UGC Grants For Delhi University: Education Ministry Tells Lok Sabha – News18

Last Updated:February 04, 2025, 11:56 IST

The Ministry of Education confirmed no reduction in UGC grants to Delhi University over the past five years, with grants rising from Rs 607 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 955 crore in 2023-24.

The Ministry of Education informed the Lok Sabha on Monday that there has been no reduction in the UGC grants allocated to Delhi University over the past five years. In response to a written question in the Lower House, Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, stated that the Ministry provides block grants to the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the “Grants to Central Universities” scheme.

The UGC, in turn, allocates funds to Central Universities (CUs), including the University of Delhi, based on their needs, as well as their fund utilization in previous years.

According to the data shared by Majumdar, Delhi University was granted Rs 955 crore during 2023-24, Rs 812 crore during 2022-23, Rs 670 crore during 2021-22, Rs 628 crore during 2020-21 and Rs 607 crore during 2019-20.

“It is evident that there is no decline in grants released to University of Delhi,” Majumdar said.

The Ministry also dismissed any concerns regarding the allotment of hostels to students in central universities. In response to a query in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar stated that there are clear rules and guidelines in place for hostel allocation, ensuring a fair and merit-based process.

“No discrepancy in the allotment of hostels to students in central universities has come to the notice of the government. Central universities are autonomous bodies, established by Acts of Parliament and governed by provisions of their respective Acts, Statues and Ordinances made thereunder,” Sukanta Majumdar said.

“The allotment of hostels is done by the universities as per their respective rules, regulations and ordinances. There are established norms and guidelines for hostel allotment in central universities, ensuring a transparent, merit-based and equitable allocation process,” Majumdar said.

The minister explained that priority for hostel allotment is given to students based on factors such as the distance from their home, academic performance, social category, and the special needs of differently-abled students.