New Delhi, January 30: The University Grants Commission on Tuesday deferred a decision to grant the prestigious Institutes of Eminence tag. The UGC decided to postpone the decision as an expert committee has recommended more names than allowed by the government. According to a report published in The Hindu, The expert committee recommended 30 names, 15 each in public and private category. But the government scheme said we had to select ten in each category. 'Institution of Eminence' Tag For Yet-to-be-established Jio Institute Draws Criticism.

The public institutions which would get this tag will be getting Rs 1,000 grant. The UGC referred back to the government to decide whether it wanted to expand the scheme. The programme is aimed to develop world-class institutions. Meanwhile, the private institutions selected for the scheme will not be getting any financial assistance from the government. Jio Institute Given Only 'Letter of Intent' and Not 'Institute of Eminence' Tag, Clarifies Higher Education Secretary.

The empowered expert committee headed by former Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami had initially recommended 11 institutions in July 2018 last year, out of which the government conferred the tag only on six institutions including three public institutions - IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay and IISc Bangalore. Meanwhile, three private institutions upon which the tag is bestowed are BITS Pilani, Manipal University and Jio University. However, Reliance Foundation’s Jio University is yet to be established.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 30, 2019 12:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).