• The human resource development (HRD) ministry is likely to move the Cabinet soon to increase by half the number of educational establishments that can be tagged “institutes of eminence”, or IoEs, offering them greater autonomy. The ministry wants the number increased to 30 from the original 20.

About Scheme:

• The Institutions of Eminence would be given significant autonomy in operations — from setting their curriculum and recruiting foreign faculty to entering academic tie-ups.
• The selected government institutions would also be given up to ?1,000 crore over five years to help them become world-class. The ultimate objective is for these Institutions of Eminence to acquire global standing in a few years.
• Institutes that found a place among the top 50 in the National Institute Ranking Framework rankings or those figuring in the top 500 in certain reputed international ratings were eligible to apply.
• Many threw their hats in the ring. But eventually only six institutions were selected — three public (Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi) and three private (BITS Pilani, Manipal Academy of Higher Education and the proposed Jio Institute).

Analysis:

• Academic institutions that can impart highest quality education, generate cutting edge research, and attract the best and the brightest from across the globe can have multiplier beneficial effects for the country. So the idea of elevating the best in a sector to an eminent status by granting autonomy is a good one. But to maintain credibility, the process and the selection of these institutions should be above reproach.
• India has been facing a persistent brain drain due to the belief that Indian institutions cannot hold a candle to foreign ones.
• The number of Indian students flying off to the US, Europe and Australia for their postgraduate, and lately even undergraduate, degrees has risen sharply. Foreign degrees cost a packet and are funded by high-cost loans. If India had home-grown Institutions of Eminence, there would be no need to fly abroad for fancy degrees.