The Institutions of Eminence (IoE) Scheme was launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2017 to empower Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), enabling them to become world-class teaching and research institutions. The objective of the scheme is to provide a supportive regulatory framework for ten public and ten private higher educational institutions, allowing them to develop into top-tier global institutions. This initiative is designed to enhance affordable access to high-quality education for Indian students.
The scheme applies to government institutions such as:
- Central Universities
- Government-owned and controlled Deemed-to-be Universities
- Institutes of National Importance (e.g., IITs, IIITs, NITs, IISERs)
- Government-owned standalone institutions (e.g., IIMs)
- State Universities set up under State Legislative Acts
These institutions collectively form the “Government Institutions of Eminence”.
Benefits of the Scheme
- Financial Assistance of up to ₹1,000 crore from the government for public institutions.
- Autonomy to raise funds from industries, alumni, and other donors without requiring additional government permissions.
- Freedom to admit foreign students—up to 30% of the total intake.
- No restriction on foreign student fees, allowing institutions to set competitive fees.
- Flexibility in domestic student fees, provided scholarships and loan programs are available to ensure accessibility for financially weaker students.
- Full autonomy in curriculum and syllabus design, exempt from UGC-mandated structures.
- No government approvals required for academic collaborations with foreign institutions ranked in the top 500 of global rankings.
Eligibility Criteria
Institutions must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be among the ten institutions selected as Institutions of Eminence.
- Have a mix of technical, management, arts, and central universities.
- Rank among the top 50 institutions in their category under the latest National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
- Rank in the top 500 globally in Times Higher Education, QS, or Shanghai Ranking (SJTU).
Application Process
Offline Application Process:
Who Can Apply?
- Central Government-controlled institutions: Applications are submitted through their respective controlling Ministry/Department.
- State Public Universities: Applications must be submitted through the State Government.
Application Components:
The application consists of two key parts:
- Fifteen-Year Strategic Vision Plan:
- Long-term institutional goals
- Key milestones and global ranking aspirations
- SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis
- Proposed measures for addressing shortcomings
- Five-Year Implementation Plan:
- Annual action plan aligning with strategic objectives
- Research and infrastructure development plans
- Academic course structures and faculty recruitment strategy
- Admissions policy with details on scholarships and student loans
- International collaborations and networking plan
- Financial sustainability plan for funding beyond government grants
- Administrative and governance frameworks
Documents Required
- Institutional Information: Structure, governance, and management details
- Financial Strength: Revenue sources, expenditure, and corpus funds
- Land Details: Infrastructure and space allocation
- Governance Structure: Composition of apex decision-making bodies
- Five-Year Implementation Plan:
- Academic plan with proposed courses
- Faculty hiring strategy ensuring a 1:10 faculty-student ratio
- Student admissions policy with scholarship details
- Research initiatives and interdisciplinary collaborations
- International collaborations with private sector and foreign universities
- Infrastructure plan for labs, libraries, and academic blocks
- Financial sustainability strategy
- Administrative policies for quality assurance and global recognition
- Sustainability Plan: Strategies for financial stability post-public funding
- Affiliation Plan: If applicable, how the institution will affiliate other colleges
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the “Institutions of Eminence (IoE)” scheme?
The IoE Scheme is a government initiative aimed at developing world-class teaching and research institutions in India by granting them greater autonomy and financial support.
Q2: What are the key benefits of the scheme?
Institutions under this scheme receive ₹1,000 crore in financial aid (for public institutions), greater academic and financial autonomy, and the ability to admit international students and collaborate with top global universities.
Q3: Which department launched the Institutions of Eminence (IoE) scheme?
The University Grants Commission (UGC) launched this scheme in 2017 under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Q5: Can an institution apply if it ranks within the top 50 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)?
Yes, institutions ranked within the top 50 in their category in the latest NIRF rankings are eligible to apply.
Q6: Can an institution apply if it is in the top 500 of internationally recognized ranking frameworks?
Yes, institutions ranking in the top 500 globally in Times Higher Education, QS, or Shanghai Rankings are eligible.
Q7: How can Central Government-controlled institutions apply?
These institutions must apply through their respective controlling Ministry/Department.
Q8: How can State Public Universities apply?
State Public Universities must submit their application through the State Government for consideration.
Q10: Is there any application fee for submitting an application under this scheme?
No, there is no application fee required for applying under the IoE scheme.
Q11: Will applicants who are not selected receive any refund?
Since there is no application fee, there is no refund policy for unsuccessful applicants.