What is An Autonomous College & How It Works

What is an Autonomous College?

Autonomous College is a college that is self-governing, self-supporting, and independent of any government or university. It is recognized by any government or university but follows its own regulations/curriculum/syllabus/exam pattern/grade system for its academic courses instead of following the university syllabus. They have flexibility in terms of curriculum design, delivery, and assessment/evaluation.

Features of an Autonomous College:

• • An autonomous college has the freedom to evolve and change according to changing needs and demands of society.
  • An autonomous college does not have to follow any particular pattern or model prescribed by any authority.
  • An autonomous college will have its own objectives, syllabus, rules, regulations, assessment methods, educational technology tools, etc.
  • An autonomous college will be self-sustaining; it will not need any financial aid or subsidies from the government or any other source.
  • An autonomous college will have the freedom to evolve according to its ideas, norms, culture, and traditions.
  • An autonomous college will have the freedom to choose its own teaching-learning style, administration, examination, graduation, degrees, and degrees awarding bodies.
  • An autonomous college will have the freedom to decide on its own curriculum, syllabus, teaching methodology, textbooks, assessment methods, etc.
  • An autonomous college will have the freedom to decide on its own syllabus, courses, fees, and charges for its students.
  • An autonomous college will have the freedom to choose its own mode of operation and administration.

Video credit – Yash Kholapure

Role of a Parent University for Autonomous College

The role of a parent university for Autonomous College is:

1. Furtherance of the goals and objectives of the autonomous college.

2. To provide faculty, infrastructure, and other support to the autonomous college.

3. To facilitate the exchange of ideas and information between the autonomous college and the parent/sponsoring university.

4. To ensure that the autonomous college remains within the ambit of the law.

5. To ensure that the autonomy of the autonomous college is not compromised.

6. To make available to the autonomous college such funds as may be necessary for it to function independently.

7. To assist the autonomous college in securing external grants and donations.

8. To monitor and evaluate the functioning of the autonomous college on an ongoing basis.

9. To help in matters of publicity and publicity campaigns.

10. To provide secretarial and other administrative assistance as required.

11. To provide such other assistance as may be required from time to time. 

Criteria of an Autonomous College 

Autonomous college status is granted to a college by the University Grants Commission (UGC) based on the performance of the college across a range of parameters, including Faculty and student satisfaction, Research and Publications, Funding Outreach activities, Economic development, Social engagement, Institutional Development, and Capacity Building.

“Colleges (of any discipline), whether aided, partially aided, and unaided/self-financing, are eligible provided they are under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act.”

Here are some basic guidelines set by UGC, and a college should follow them to get an Autonomous college status.

1. Either NAAC must accredit the colleges with a minimum ‘A’ Grade or by NBA for at least three programs with a minimum score of 675 individually

2. The institution should have been in existence for at least 10 years, and accreditation by NAAC/NBA.

3. The college must have met the performance targets set by the UGC in its grant of autonomous college status.

4. The College must be accredited with a score of 3.0 and above, up to 3.25 on a 4 point scale of NAAC/corresponding NBA score / corresponding accreditation score from a UGC.

5. The institution should have submitted the report of the Committee of Sole Resident Director if the institution is functioning under the control of a Society/Aided College/Aided Institution.

6. The institution should have a high reputation for excellence in teaching/research and providing a high standard of education.

7. The institution should have adequate infrastructure facilities and teaching staff with proven capability.

8. The institution should have a competent governing council and authority to run the institution on sound financial footing.

9. The institution should have a good record in the academic and disciplines it seeks recognition.

11. The institution should meet the standards laid down by the University Grants Commission for certification.

12. The institution should demonstrate its existing facilities’ quality and relevance to the disciplines for which recognition has been sought.

13. The institution should have a regular date of publication of the results of its research through journals and other media.

Additionally, the college should have good infrastructure, good teachers, and good facilities. If these things are not present, the college may not get the autonomy status.

What are the benefits of being an Autonomous College?

The benefits of being an Autonomous College are many and varied, but include:

• The ability to review and revise the regulations governing the life and work of the college.
• The college can make its own decisions regarding the admission of students, conditions of admission, selection of faculty and staff, and the conduct of research, instruction, and other necessary activities to accomplish its objectives.
• The ability to communicate with others regarding the college’s policies, procedures, and programs.
• The college has the freedom to frame the syllabus and customize the course of study for the student.
• The ability to deal with diverse cultural, economic, political, social, and environmental issues in the context of higher education.
• The ability to offer Employability-Centered Education Programs.
• The ability to offer specialized undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
• The ability to select its own assessment methods.
• The ability to offer degree programs leading to Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degrees.
• The ability to set its own fees for the programs it offers.
• The ability to define its own curriculum and decide on the sequence and course work required.
• The ability to award degrees from its own degree-awarding bodies.
• The ability to define its own rules and regulations for the operation of the college.
• The ability to select and use educational technology as appropriate to enhance teaching and learning.

What are the advantages of an Autonomous college?

The advantages of autonomous colleges are that they are better equipped to meet the needs of the students. They are not constrained by government regulations and can offer students more freedom to choose their subjects and the curriculum that they want to study. This allows a student to get a better education and learn what they really want to learn.

Autonomous colleges are also free from bureaucratic procedures and can make their own policies. This helps them to work efficiently. Autonomous colleges are also better equipped to meet the needs of the students.

They can provide a better learning environment and offer students a better learning experience.

What are the disadvantages of an Autonomous Colleges?

1. Most autonomous colleges have a relatively higher fee structure than their affiliated colleges.

2. Autonomous colleges conduct the entrance examinations, and the eligible candidates are admitted based on the marks obtained in the entrance examination.

3. Many autonomous colleges are more interested in making money than imparting knowledge.

4. Autonomous colleges have no or little affiliation with any university, and hence, they do not have to follow the guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC). This leads to less accountability and a lack of transparency in many cases.

5. Many autonomous colleges use unfair means to attract students. They give cash-rich scholarships, waive off entrance fees, offer low-priced accommodation, etc., making it difficult for students from poor and middle-class families to access quality education.

6. The autonomy given to colleges by the government has led to corruption at many levels.

7. The unfair advantage given to the private colleges by the government has given rise to many malpractices such as maladministration, lack of transparency, and misspending of government grants, etc.

What is the difference between an Autonomous college and a Non-Autonomous college?

1. Autonomous colleges do not come under any University. They are governed directly by their Governing Body, while Non-Autonomous or affiliated colleges are brought under a university’s jurisdiction and governed by the University’s Statutes.

2. Autonomous colleges have their syllabus, examination system, and faculty, whereas Non-Autonomous colleges are administered by the university.

3. Autonomous colleges are self-governing institutions that have complete freedom to frame their own rules and regulations, set their fee structure, and admit students under their own requirements. On the other hand, Non-Autonomous colleges are run by the university and are expected to follow the policies and procedures prescribed by the university.

4. The main objective of an autonomous college is to impart quality education without compromising on the autonomy of the college. On the other hand, the main objective of a Non-Autonomous college is to provide an efficient and effective education within the framework of the university.

5. Autonomous colleges have no restriction on the number of students they can admit. In contrast, Non-Autonomous colleges are restricted to a certain percentage of the total number of seats available in that particular university.

6. Autonomous colleges are not required to follow any specified pattern of examinations or evaluation, while Non-Autonomous colleges must follow the pattern prescribed by the university.

7. An autonomous college does not have restrictions on the number of courses it can offer, while a Non-Autonomous college is restricted to a certain number of courses.

8. An autonomous college can award degrees, diplomas, and certificates; whereas, a Non-Autonomous college can only award degrees.

9. An autonomous college is free to select its faculty and staff and can fix their salary as per their requirements. A Non-Autonomous college has to follow the regulations framed by the university.

10. An autonomous college is free to raise its own funds for developing the college infrastructure; whereas, a Non-Autonomous college has to get all its funds from the university.

11. An autonomous college is free to make investments and take risks on its behalf; whereas, a Non-Autonomous college is not allowed to do so.

12. An autonomous college is free to publish its own prospectus, prospectuses of its subsidiary companies, and other marketing material; whereas, a Non-Autonomous college is not allowed to do so.

13. Its own Governing Body decides the fees charged by an autonomous college, and it can charge any fee that it thinks appropriate. On the other hand, the fees charged by a Non-Autonomous college are decided by the university, and it cannot charge more than what is prescribed by the university.

14. An autonomous college is free to set its own admission policy and admit students based on its own criteria. A Non-Autonomous college must follow the admission policy prescribed by the university.

15. An autonomous college has complete freedom to decide how it will assess the performance of its students; whereas, a Non-Autonomous college is not allowed to do so.

16. An autonomous college has complete freedom to decide how it will conduct its examinations and whether it will give credit points or not. A Non-Autonomous college must follow the examination policy framed by the university.

17. An autonomous college has complete freedom to decide the mode of teaching and learning; whereas, a Non-Autonomous college must follow the university’s guidelines.

Video credit – Knowledge Seekers

Is Autonomous college Good or Bad?

Autonomous college can be good or bad.  It depends on how the college uses the autonomy status. Like, It would be bad if the autonomy were of the wrong kind. Since the autonomy is given to the management of the college, you can assume that the management would be ‘good’ and would use it for the benefit of the college and students.

Generally, the students would like to get an education from such a good college. However, if the management uses the autonomy for personal gains, it would be bad for the students. The management should ensure that autonomy is used to better the students. In other words, autonomy should not be misused. If the autonomy is misused, the students will not get the right education and will not get the right job. It would be very bad for the students and the college.

Which is better Autonomous or Affiliated college?

Affiliated colleges are better than autonomous colleges. This is because the state funds them, and thus, their quality of education is better than many of the private colleges. They have more money for infrastructure.

But if you are looking for a good college that focus on good quality education system, you should go to an autonomous college as they offer quality education,  good campus life and better job placements.

Is Autonomous College Degree Valid?

No! Autonomous College is not allowed to grant a degree.

To allow an autonomous institute to grant a degree, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has to upgrade the institution to a deemed university or declare it as an Institution of National Importance. To avoid confusion, it is important to note that the term Autonomous College is not the same as a university.

What Is Autonomous University?

A university is autonomous if it is not under any ministry of Central or State government. The university frame the rules, regulations and policies according to university guidelines. Autonomous university can award degrees to the students and set its own curriculum.

Autonomous universities are institutions of higher education in India that are granted the status of a ‘university’ and all its incidental powers, without making an application to the University Grants Commission (UGC). There is no fixed definition of the term ‘autonomous’ but it can be inferred that an ‘autonomous’ status indicates that the institution has been created by an act of Parliament and is under the control of the government of the day.

They may not be under the UGC but hence are not necessarily under the apex body of a state government either, they can operate by themselves. The nomenclature of ‘autonomous’ is now a part of the official name of all such institutions in India.

Autonomous College List

Here is a state-wise autonomous college list –

List of Autonomous Colleges in Andhra Pradesh

1. Achraya Nagarjuna University
2. Adikavi Nannaya University, Rajamundry
3. Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
4. Dr. Ambedkar University, AP
5. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinda, A.P.
6. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantpur
7. Krishna University, Machilipatnam
8. Rayalaseema University, Kurnool
9. Sri Krishnadevarya University
10. Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi
11. Vikrama Simhapuri University, Nellore
12. Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa

List of Autonomous Colleges in Assam

1. Dibrugarh University, Assam
2. Gauhati University, Guwahati

List of Autonomous Colleges in Bihar

1. Patna University, Patna
2. Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Bihar

List of Autonomous Colleges in Chhattisgarh

1. Chhatisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University
2. Guru Ghasidas University
3. Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur
4. Sarguja Vishwavidyalaya, Ambikapur

List of Autonomous Colleges in Goa

1. Goa University

List of Autonomous Colleges in Gujarat

1. Bhavnagar University
2. Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
3. Gujarat Technological University, Gujarat
4. Saurashtra University, Rajkot
5. Sardar Patel University, Vallabh

List of Autonomous Colleges in Haryana

1. Kurukshetra University

List of Autonomous Colleges in Himachal Pradesh

1. Himachal University

List of Autonomous Colleges in Jammu & Kashmir

1. University Of Jammu
2. University Of Kashmir

List of Autonomous Colleges in Jharkhand

1. Kolhan University, Chaibasa
2. Rachi University

List of Autonomous Colleges in Karnataka

1. Banglore University
2. Bengaluru City University
3. Davangere University
4. Gulbarga University
5. Karnataka State Law University, Huballi
6. Kuvempu University
7. Mangalore University
8. Mysore University
9. Rani Channamma University, Belgaum
10. Tumkur University
11. Vijayanagara Srikrishnadevaraya University,bellari
12. Visvesvaraya Technological University

List of Autonomous Colleges in Kerala

1. APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Kerala
2. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
3. University Of Calicut
4. University Of Kerala

List of Autonomous Colleges in Madhya Pradesh

1. A.p. Singh University
2. Barkatullah University
3. Devi Ahilya University
4. Dr. Hari Singh Gaur University
5. Jiwaji University
6. Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University, Chhatarpur
7. Rajiv Gandhi Proudhogiki Viswavidyalaya,bhopal
8. Rani Durgawati University
9. Vikram University

List of Autonomous Colleges in Maharastra

1. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar University
2. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University
3. North Maharashtra University
4. Savitribai Puhle Pune University, Pune
5. Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj, Nagpur Univ.
6. S.n.d.t. Women’s University
7. Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University
8. Shivaji University, Kolhapur
9. Solapur University, Solapur
10. Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University
11. University Of Mumbai

List of Autonomous Colleges in Manipur

1. Manipur University, Imphal

List of Autonomous Colleges in Nagaland

1. Nagaland University

List of Autonomous Colleges in Odisha

1. Bherhampur University
2. Biju Patnaik University Of Technology
3. Fakir Mohan University
4. North Orissa University
5. Rama Devi Women’s University, Bhubneswar
6. Sambalpur University
7. Utkal University

List of Autonomous Colleges in Pondichery

1. Pondichery University

List of Autonomous Colleges in Punjab

1. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
2. Panjab University, Chandigarh
3. I.k. Gujaral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar
4. Punjabi University, Patiala

List of Autonomous Colleges in Rajasthan

1. Bikaner Technical University, Bikaner
2. Jai Narain Vyas University (Jodhpur)
3. Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer
4. Rajasthan Technical University
5. University Of Rajasthan

List of Autonomous Colleges in Tamil Nadu

1. Alagappa University
2. Anna University
3. Bharathidasan University
4. Bharathiar University
5. Madras University
6. Madurai Kamraj University
7. Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
8. Mother Teresa Women`s University
9. Periyar University
10. Tamil Nadu State Physical Education & Sport University
11. Tamil Nadu Teacher Edu. Univ., Chennai
12. Thiruvalluvar University

List of Autonomous Colleges in Telangana

1. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kukatpally, Hyderabad
2. Kakatiya University
3. Osmania University, Hyderabad
4. Palamuru University, Mahabubnagar, Telangana
5. Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad

List of Autonomous Colleges in Uttar Pradesh

1. Allahabad University
2. Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University,prayagraj, Uttarpradesh
3. Gautam Buddh Technical Univ, Lucknow
4. Mahatama Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth Varanasi
5. U.P. Technical Univ, Lucknow
6. University Of Lucknow
7. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University,lucknow

List of Autonomous Colleges in Uttrakhand

1. H.n.b. Garhwal University, Srinagar
2. Uttarakhand Technical University, Dehradun, Uttrakhand

List of Autonomous Colleges in West Bengal

1. Calcutta University
2. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University Of Technology, West Bengal
3. Vidya Sagar University, West Bengal
4. West Bengal State University, Kolkata

How to get admission to an autonomous college?

Here are the stepwise instructions to get autonomous college admission:

1. Get a good grade in Intermediate (12th Class)

The first thing you need to do is secure a good grade (at least 60% or above) in your Intermediate or 12th class. This will give you an upper hand over other applicants.

2. Choose the right Autonomous College

After you have secured a good grade in your Intermediate or 12th class, the next step is to choose the right college for you.

The choice of a good college will help you achieve your goals and help you shape your career. There are many colleges in India, and they are divided into various categories based on their affiliations, ranking, and popularity.

3. Understanding Eligibility criteria

The eligibility criteria for admission to an autonomous college are different from that of an ordinary college.

4. Focusing on preparation to crack the Entrance

Exams Once you have decided to apply to an autonomous college, the next important thing you need to do is, prepare yourself to crack the entrance exams.

5. According to the rank, choose the right Stream

The next important thing you need to do is, choosing the right stream/department based on your rank in the entrance exam. The stream you choose will depend on your interests and the subjects you like the most.

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a good college in India, you should go to an autonomous college as they provide good education. They also offer great campus life and help you get a good job.

Also, you will find lots of opportunities there if you choose the right college. So, I hope you have got all the information you need in this article. You can now make your choice.