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Autonomous Colleges Meaning | Advantages Of Autonomous University

Saurav Anand | January 31, 2022

Autonomous Institutes & Colleges

These Autonomous institutes and colleges have the right to exercise independent control over their daily operations, they have control over its syllabus, courses offered and even the admission procedures.  Autonomous Institutes & Colleges are mainly under the influence or under the administrative control of the Department of Higher Education (DHE), MHRD.

However, there’s a slight difference between Autonomous Institutes and Autonomous Colleges, let us explain.

  • So in the Autonomous Colleges - these Colleges are affiliated to a certain university. Admissions and exams can be conducted by these colleges on their own. They cannot, however, issue their own diploma or degree at the end of the course. Degrees and diplomas are issued by affiliated universities.
  • Like deemed-to-be universities, autonomous institutes have full autonomy in deciding courses, syllabus, admissions, and fees. Diplomas are granted instead of degrees, however.

While autonomous institutes are not known as universities, they are permitted to award degrees. Among them are the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Salient features:

  1. Can decide their own syllabus
  2. Conduct their own exams
  3. Conduct their own admission procedure
  4. May or may not grant diploma or degree to students

Autonomous Colleges Meaning

Autonomous universities are actually autonomous branches of a state or central university which have the freedom to decide their own courses, syllabus, fee structure and pedagogy. However, it cannot award degrees in its own name. The degrees are awarded under the name of the parent university.

Advantages Of Autonomous University

  • An autonomous college carries a prestigious image for the students and the teachers. Autonomy reflects efforts for excellence in academic performances, capability of self governance and enhancement in the quality of education.
  • An autonomous university typically refers to a university that exercises independent control over its day-to-day operations and curriculum, as opposed to a university in which the government or a government agency controls the academic programs.

Conclusion

Autonomous Colleges Meaning

There are many pluses and minuses to both autonomous and nonautonomous colleges. Autonomous colleges have more responsibility at stake. They are run by a Board of Directors and Chairman and they have to handle and dabble various portfolios and look into the functioning of the college. There is a saying in English “Uneasy lies the head that bears the crown”.Here the Board has to handle various roles as it heads the institution. 

Frequently Asked Questions Autonomous Colleges

Q. Which Is Better Autonomous or Deemed University?

Ans. Both the universities have their own advantages and disadvantages. As an autonomous institute is affiliated to a government university, it provides more guarantee and is more trustworthy. On the other hand, deemed university has full autonomy and hence tries to work for the best of its students. But too much autonomy can also affect the students negatively as it does not have a controlling body like an autonomous institute.

Q. What Is Autonomous University?

Ans. Autonomous university is generally affiliated to a government university but has autonomy to decide its own courses, exams and syllabus. The award degrees however are given in the name of the parent university.

Q. Are Autonomous And Deemed University Is The Same?

Ans. No, deemed and autonomous universities are not the same. Autonomous institutes are affiliated to a government university while deemed university gains it status by approval from UGC.

Q. What Is The Difference Between a University And Deemed University?

Ans. The main difference between a university and deemed university is that deemed university is actually not a full- fledged university, it is just provided autonomy in its matters by being given the title of “deemed” by the Director of Higher Education upon the advice of UGC. If deemed universities continue to perform well, they might have a chance to be granted the status of a university by the UGC.

Q. Is Deemed University Good or Bad?

Ans. Deemed university is better than many state or central universities in terms of infrastructure and latest technologies used. These universities are given a status of deemed due to high excellence in research fields as well as course curriculum. So, these are certainly good options for students.