State universities and other stakeholders, including educationists and students, have opposed the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) latest decision to make the National Eligibility Test (NET) scores the criteria for admission to Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) across the country, instead of entrance tests at the university level.
“The decision of the UGC undermines the autonomy of universities to facilitate research. The UGC should not ride over universities just because they provide grants. Examinations, admissions, fees, and other matters for any course, including PhD, should be left to the respective universities,” said one of the Vice-Chancellors of a state university, who wished to remain anonymous.
“The Union government is trying to destroy all autonomous institutions by implementing a centralised system for admissions. If NET scores become the criteria for admissions to PhD, universities will lose their autonomy over research activities,” another Vice-Chancellor said.
