Question

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): Central Universities are considered elite higher education institutions in India.

Reason (R): Despite their elitist image, these institutions do not find place in the top order of international ranking.

In the light of the above two statements choose the correct answer from the options given below

1. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
2. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A)
3. (A) is true, but (R) is false
4. (A) is false, but (R) is true

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A)

Assertion (A): Central Universities are considered elite higher education institutions in India.

Explanation:

• Central universities or union universities in India are established by an Act of Parliament and are under the purview of the Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education.
• In general, universities in India are recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which draws its power from the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.
• In addition, 15 Professional Councils are established, controlling different aspects of accreditation and coordination.
• Central universities, in addition, are covered by the Central Universities Act, 2009, which regulates their purpose, powers, governance, etc., and established 12 new universities.
• As of 1 June 2020, The list of central universities published by the UGC includes 54 central universities.
• The main features of Central Universities are
  • The President of India acts as the 'Visitor' for all the Central Universities.
  • The Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD) assists the President of India in the appointment of Vice Chancellors, Court Nominees and Selection Committee Nominees.
  • The President has the power to nominate a few members to the Executive Committee/Board of Management/Court/Selection Committees of the University in terms of the various statutes and provisions laid down in the University Act.

Therefore, Central Universities are considered elite higher education institutions in India. Hence Assertion (A) is correct.

Reason (R): Despite their elitist image, these institutions do not find a place in the top order of international ranking.

Explanation:

• India has a relatively small number of elite institutions — such as the IITs, the IIMs and central universities.
• Large numbers of Indian students also continue to head abroad for higher education. The migration of an increasing number of students to private universities and to the West is in part driven by growing prosperity but also by the inability of the State to build new institutions at a rapid pace and to maintain quality at public institutions.
• With respect to ranking, only the Indian Institute of Science finished in the top 500 at 327.
• India’s policymakers appear to be either lacking in clarity or seem far too ambitious. The Universities for Research and Innovation Bill 2012, which intended to establish universities focused on innovation and research, has been buried.
• Due to the above reason, Indian institutions do not find place in the top order of international ranking.

Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A) as an elitist image is not sufficient for Indian universities to find their place in the top order of international ranking.