Students in India's national capital brace for fee hikes as Delhi University colleges are allowed to seek 'autonomy' online

• The University Grants Commission (UGC) has just issued a letter saying that the colleges falling under the university can now apply for an autonomous status using an online portal.
  
• The autonomous college will be able to design their own courses, fee structure, and admissions.
  
• Earlier in 2017, the move for privatisation was largely opposed by students and teachers.

As colleges under the University of Delhi were considering to seek autonomy for some time, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has just issued a letter saying that the colleges falling under the university can now apply for an autonomous status online.

The portal is now active on the official UGC site trying to give an impetus to colleges to become autonomous, should they choose to do so.

However, these colleges will be affiliated to a university, TOI reported.

In a notification, the UGC said it is inviting applications to colleges that want to pull away and be their own thing. This means that the colleges will now be able to roll out their own course structure, admissions, student fees and academic faculty staff.

Moreover, the autonomous colleges will also enjoy the liberty to announce results and issue marksheets as a separate entity.

The move may affect students who are planning to enroll in several courses under Delhi University.

Back in 2016, UGC had floated guidelines for autonomous colleges, encouraging colleges to apply. Given that, Delhi University had pushed colleges to become autonomous institutions.

However, this step towards privatisation was largely opposed by students and teachers, finding the move ‘disastrous.’

According to media reports, this may also lead to lack of fund support from the government as the colleges will only pay for courses they can afford.

The application form has been issued on the official website of University Grants Commission (UGC).