Welcome to Education In India Blog: Madras University

Education in India

Overview of education in India

India's constitution provides that both the Central and the State Governments can bring laws and frame policies on education in India or in simpler words, this is the responsibly of both the respective State Governments as well as the Union Government. Therefore, whereas almost every State has its own Academic Boards and is responsible for establishing State Universities and maintaining them, the Central Government acts as a co-coordinator and helps in determining a uniform standard.

Higher education

Higher education in India has evolved in divergent and distinct streams with each stream monitored by an apex body, indirectly controlled by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. The universities, are mostly funded by the state governments. However, there are 12 important universities called Central universities, which are maintained by the Union Government and because of relatively large funding, they have an economic edge over the others. The engineering colleges and business schools in the country are monitored and accredited by AICTE while medical colleges are monitored and accredited by the MCI. An organisation, NCTE was constituted a couple of years ago to monitor, organise and accredit all the teacher training institutions in the country and this apex body has started making its presence felt. Apart from these, the country has some ace engineering, management and medical institutions which are directly funded by the Union Government.

School System

The school system is based upon 12 years of school (10+2), which includes primary and secondary schooling. Secondary Schools are affiliated with Central or states boards for conduct of examination. Most of the private schools as well as many government schools are affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Edn (CBSE). All the universities and other higher institutions recognize the various 10+2 qualifications from different states as well as national Boards like the CBSE. Though Class XIIth is the entry-level qualification for pursuing higher studies in any field, passing it in itself does not guarantee admission to a particular course. Like for example, some courses specify pre-requisite subjects that the student must have at the qualifying exam (class XIIth); for professional courses other than the pre-requisite subjects a student may also have to sit for an entrance test e.g. IIT-JEE, CPMT etc. Well known colleges specify cut-off marks in class XIIth) for admission in various courses, which may be as high as 85-90% for admission in say B.Sc Hons. (Physics). The cut-off marks or overall entry score can vary between courses in the same university/college, between similar courses in different universities/ colleges and from year to year in the same course. Some courses and some universities/institutions/colleges are in greater demand than others and therefore gaining entry into them is correspondingly more tough.

Central Government is responsible for major policy relating to higher education in the country. It provides grants to the UGC and establishes central universities in the country. The Central Government is also responsible for declaration of Educational Institutions as 'Deemed to be University' on the recommendation of the UGC.

Presently there are sixteen (18) Central Universities in the country. In pursuance of the Mizoram Accord, another Central University in the State of Mizoram is planned. There are 99 Institutions which have been declared as Deemed to be Universities by the Govt. of India as per Section of the UGC Act, 1956.

State Governments are responsible for establishment of State Universities and colleges, and provide plan grants for their development and non-plan grants for their maintenance.

The coordination and cooperation between the Union and the States is brought about in the field of education through the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE).

Special Constitutional responsibility of the Central Government: Education is on the 'Concurrent list' subject to Entry 66 in the Union List of the Constitution. This gives exclusive Legislative Power to the Central Govt. for co-ordination and determination of standards in Institutions of higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions.

Saturday 17 September 2011

Madras University

Madras University is the mother of almost all the old Universities of southern India. The University area of jurisdiction has been confined to, however, 3 districts of Tamil Nadu in recent years. This is consequent to establishment of various universities in the State and demarcation of the University territories. This University has been growing from strength to strength while widening its teaching and research activities.

The Organisation structure of Madras University encompases :

· The Senate

· The Syndicate

· The Academic Council

· The Faculties

· The Finance Committee

· The Board of Studies

His excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu is the Chancellor of The University.

The Vice-Chancellor who is appointed for a term period is the Principal executive officer. The Registrar of the University, who is the Secretary of the Syndicate, is the custodian of all the records and Chief Administrator of the university. Yet another function, the examinations of the University, is managed by Office of the Controller of Examinations.

The University imparts both Under Graduate and Post Graduate Education through the Affiliated Institutions which are spread over the districts of Chennai, Thrivallur and Kancheepuram. Apart from teaching, research activities in Arts, Humanities, Science, Management and Technology are the main portals at the University. A number of institutions affiliated to Madras University Concentrate in research activities where Ph.D., Programme is available in their respective field of specialisation.

The University is also offering teaching and Research programmes in 4 Campuses of Madras University. The 68 University Departments of study and research are spread over in 4 Campuses organised into 18 Schools each of which offer Post Graduate Courses in respective specialisation, part time and full time Ph.D. Programmes, Diploma and Certificate Programmes.

Accessing the need for educating a large number of people in the country, the University offers both under Graduate and Post Graduate education through the Institute of Distance Education of the University of Madras. The Institute is popularly called IDE of Madras University. Some of the courses offered by IDE has no parallel in this country to name a few,

· B. Music - Traditional Indian Music

· M. Music - Indian Music at Post Graduate level

· M.A. in Vaishnavism and Christian Studies - The courses of religious philosophy

M.C.A. and M.B.A.are well designed professional training courses for aspiring graduates in the respective specialisations.

The University has been accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with the five star rating first, and later with an A rating. The UGC has recognised the University as one of the centres for potential for excellence in the country.

To know more:http://www.unom.ac.in