Why the affiliation system is outdated, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to phase out the college affiliation system over 15 years through graded autonomy.
• Universities are expected to mentor affiliated colleges to achieve autonomy in academics, governance, finance, and administration.
• The current affiliation system faces challenges including overburdened universities, lack of college autonomy, and slow curriculum reforms.
• Colleges are encouraged to participate in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and National Board of Accreditation (NBA).

Detailed Insights:

• The traditional college-university affiliation system, while historically providing centralized control, now impedes college growth and quality.
• Universities are burdened with managing examinations, curriculum, and compliance for numerous colleges, diverting resources from research and innovation.
• Affiliated colleges lack the autonomy to design courses aligned with local needs and emerging market trends, stifling innovation and specialized programs.
• Slow curriculum reforms under the affiliation model result in outdated course content, particularly affecting rapidly evolving disciplines like engineering and technology.
• Infrastructure disparities among affiliated colleges weaken the credibility of standardized learning outcomes, leading to varying skill levels among graduates.
• The NEP 2020 envisions autonomous, degree-granting institutions that can innovate freely, a condition the current affiliation system cannot adequately provide.

Key Concepts Involved:

• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: A comprehensive framework to revamp the education system in India.
• Graded Autonomy: A system granting institutions increasing levels of independence based on performance.
• National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF): A methodology adopted by the Ministry of Education to rank institutions of higher education in India.
• National Board of Accreditation (NBA): An accreditation body for technical programs in India, ensuring quality standards.