Guwahati: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted autonomous status to Manipur’s one of the premier higher education institute Churachandpur College.
The Churachandpur College, located in Manipur’s Churchandpur, is affiliated to Manipur University.
The development came amid the allegations of discrimination towards the students of the college by Manipur University authorities.
Following the discrimination allegations, Churachandpur College sent a proposal to UGC seeking an autonomous status to the college.
The UGC has approved Churachandpur College's autonomous status for a period of five years, starting from the academic year 2024-2025. This allows the college greater flexibility in designing its curriculum, conducting examinations, and awarding degrees. However, it remains bound by the UGC's regulations for autonomous colleges.
UGC deputy secretary Dr Gopi Chand Merugu in a letter to Manipur University Registrar stated, “The Commission at its meeting held on 16.01.2024 has approved the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Autonomous Colleges to confer the autonomous status to Churachandpur College, Near District Hospital, Tipalmukh Road Junction, Churachandpur, Manipur affiliated to Manipur University, Imphal (or a period of 5 years in the academic year 2024-2025 to 2028-2029 as per clause 7.4 of the UGC (Conferment of Autonomous Status Upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance ‘of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations, 2023.”
The UGC has instructed Manipur University to issue a formal notification acknowledging Churachandpur College's autonomy within 30 days.
“The University, is therefore, requested to issue necessary notification within 30 days regarding the grant of autonomous status to the College as per UGG (Conferment of Autonomous Status Upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance ‘of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations, 2023,” the letter read.
