This course offers a comprehensive analysis of governance and management in Indian higher education. It covers macro-level policy issues and institutional-level challenges, offering insights into autonomy, regulation, quality management, and more.

Governance and Management of Higher Education in India
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What you'll learn
Understand the governance structures in Indian higher education
Explore the role of state and market in educational governance
Analyze institutional governance in affiliated and autonomous colleges
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September 2026
16 assignments
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There are 15 modules in this course
This module explores the evolution and structure of governance in Indian higher education, focusing on the relationships between government, institutions, and stakeholders. It covers historical developments, autonomy, accountability, and the role of reports like the IHER 2019 in shaping policies. Learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of governance frameworks and their impact on educational outcomes.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
5 readings•Total 31 minutes
- Introduction•11 minutes
- Evolution of Governance Structures in Higher Education in India•5 minutes
- Governance Structures at the System Level•5 minutes
- Institutional Autonomy and Accountability•5 minutes
- The IHER 2019•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Evolution of Higher Education Governance in India•16 minutes
This module explores the evolving relationship between the state, market, and higher education governance in the context of neoliberal reforms. It covers how public service delivery, institutional changes, and democratic accountability impact educational systems. Learners will gain insights into the implications of market-driven policies on equity, justice, and institutional purpose.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
4 readings•Total 32 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- III•12 minutes
- IV•6 minutes
- V•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Higher Education Governance and Policy Challenges•16 minutes
This module provides an in-depth look at the structure and regulation of higher education in India, covering the classification of institutions, legal frameworks, and the roles of various regulatory bodies at both national and state levels. Learners will gain a clear understanding of how higher education is managed and governed across the country.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
5 readings•Total 44 minutes
- Institutional Diversity in Higher Education•6 minutes
- Legal and Regulatory Framework for Higher Education•7 minutes
- Regulatory Bodies in Higher Education•11 minutes
- State-Level Regulatory Bodies•17 minutes
- Conclusions and Policy Implications•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Regulation and Governance in Indian Higher Education•16 minutes
This module explores the structure, functions, and challenges of State Councils of Higher Education (SCHEs) in India. It covers their role in coordinating higher education governance, the impact of funding mechanisms like RUSA, and the complexities of inter-agency coordination. Learners will gain insights into the historical and regulatory frameworks that shape higher education policy.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
5 readings•Total 21 minutes
- Genesis•4 minutes
- Role of DCE in the States•4 minutes
- Powers and Functions of the Private Higher Educational Regulatory Commission/Act•6 minutes
- Planning and Coordination•5 minutes
- Challenges•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Higher Education Governance and Intermediary Agencies•16 minutes
This module explores the critical role of accountability in university governance, examining how academic autonomy, institutional effectiveness, and societal progress are interconnected. It delves into challenges facing current accountability systems and the impact of governance structures on academic freedom. Learners will gain insights into balancing oversight with institutional independence.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
7 readings•Total 31 minutes
- Universities as Organs of Civilization•4 minutes
- Role of Governing Bodies•4 minutes
- Degree of Autonomy•4 minutes
- Difficulties with Current Accountability System•4 minutes
- Academic Freedom and Autonomy•4 minutes
- Changing Nature of University Governance•5 minutes
- Nature of Interference•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Governance and Accountability in Higher Education•16 minutes
This module explores the structure, governance, and management of affiliated colleges, focusing on historical context, administrative frameworks, and quality improvement strategies. Learners will gain insights into the challenges and best practices for managing large-scale higher education systems.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
8 readings•Total 36 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- Types of Affiliation•4 minutes
- Size of the Collegiate System•4 minutes
- Good Governance•6 minutes
- The Process of Admission•4 minutes
- Managing Quality Teaching and Research•5 minutes
- Affiliated Colleges and RUSA•5 minutes
- Concluding Remarks•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Governance and Management of Affiliated Colleges•16 minutes
This module explores the historical evolution of India's university and college systems, focusing on the transition from colonial control to academic and administrative autonomy. Learners will understand the challenges and progress in granting autonomy to colleges, including the implications for teacher recruitment and institutional development.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
5 readings•Total 25 minutes
- The System of Universities and Colleges in India•4 minutes
- The Beginning of the Concept of Autonomy•5 minutes
- The Progress and Problems of Implementation•4 minutes
- Recruitment of Teachers for New Programmes•6 minutes
- Growth and Development of Autonomous Colleges•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Autonomy and Democratization in Higher Education•16 minutes
This module explores the complexities of governance and autonomy in higher education institutions, focusing on the roles of central and state governments, funding disparities, and internal university structures. Learners will gain insights into the historical and contemporary challenges of balancing autonomy with regulatory oversight in Indian higher education.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
6 readings•Total 34 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Institutional Governance and Autonomy•5 minutes
- Committees and Commissions on Autonomy•5 minutes
- State—University Relationship•5 minutes
- Within-University Relationship•9 minutes
- Conclusion•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Governance and Autonomy in Higher Education•16 minutes
This module explores the governance and management structures of higher education institutions, focusing on their impact on institutional performance, autonomy, and efficiency. It delves into the theoretical and practical challenges of governing educational systems, particularly in the Indian context, and examines the evolution of management practices across different tiers of higher education.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
8 readings•Total 42 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Section I. Evolution of Governance and Management System: Theoretical Perspective•5 minutes
- The Indian Scenario•5 minutes
- The First Tier•7 minutes
- The Second Tier•5 minutes
- Effective and Efficient•4 minutes
- Shared Governance/Autonomy•5 minutes
- Accountability•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Governance and Management in Higher Education•16 minutes
This module explores the complexities of transitioning a state university to a central university, focusing on governance structures, leadership challenges, and strategies for managing academic and administrative systems in Indian higher education institutions. Learners will gain insights into leadership practices, faculty engagement, and institutional reforms.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
6 readings•Total 36 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- What Were the Initial Challenges that you Perceived when you Took Over?•8 minutes
- How Could you Get Cooperation from Faculty which is so Politicized?•5 minutes
- How was the Course of Election?•6 minutes
- Can you Generalize from your Experience about the Functioning of Students Unions across India?•4 minutes
- What was Achieved during your Term?•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- University Transition and Governance Challenges•16 minutes
This module explores the theoretical and practical aspects of institutional quality in higher education, focusing on metrics, funding, research, and innovation. Learners will gain insights into how quality and excellence are measured and improved in Indian higher education institutions. It includes case studies and tools for evaluating institutional performance.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
6 readings•Total 41 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- The Concept of Institutional Quality•9 minutes
- Funding for Quality Improvement•6 minutes
- Quality and Excellence in Indian HEIs•7 minutes
- An Institutional Example•9 minutes
- EQUAM-BI Questionnaire (Responses from Jadavpur), Sections III and IV•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Institutional Quality and Excellence in Higher Education•16 minutes
This module explores the principles of governance, leadership, and quality assurance in higher education institutions. It examines strategies for achieving excellence, challenges in policy implementation, and the role of equity and fairness in institutional management. Learners will gain insights into how effective leadership and policy frameworks contribute to institutional success.
What's included
1 video9 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
9 readings•Total 46 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- The Sample•4 minutes
- Comparison on Institutional Autonomy and Decision-Making Process•5 minutes
- Tools and Challenges for Achieving Quality and Excellence•6 minutes
- Equity/Fairness•5 minutes
- Policy Effectiveness•6 minutes
- Policy Effectiveness•5 minutes
- Challenges to Quality and Excellence in Higher Education•6 minutes
- Policy Messages and Road Map for Ensuring Quality and Excellence in Higher Education•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Institutional Excellence and Governance Practices•16 minutes
This module explores the complex interplay between political and economic factors that shape teacher governance in higher education. It examines the rise of temporary teaching roles, the impact of regulatory frameworks like UGC, and the challenges faced by institutions in managing human resources effectively. Learners will gain insight into the systemic issues affecting faculty recruitment and management in Indian higher education.
What's included
1 video7 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
7 readings•Total 32 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- UGC Regulation•5 minutes
- Magnitude of Temporary Teachers•5 minutes
- Guest Faculty Phenomena in Tamil Nadu•5 minutes
- Guest Teacher Phenomenon in Kerala•4 minutes
- Temporary Teacher Phenomenon in Kashmir University•5 minutes
- Challenges of Governance in Higher Education•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- The Temporary Teachers Phenomenon in Higher Education•16 minutes
This module explores the challenges facing higher education in India, including access, relevance, and quality, while examining how technology can be leveraged to address these issues. It covers the role of MOOCs, administrative governance, and financial strategies in transforming the educational landscape. Learners will gain insights into designing and implementing technology-driven solutions for equitable and effective learning.
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
6 readings•Total 35 minutes
- Introduction•10 minutes
- Promoting Relevant Education•7 minutes
- Promoting Quality Education•5 minutes
- Regulations on MOOCs•5 minutes
- Ensuring Effective Governance•4 minutes
- Financing•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Technology and Higher Education in India•16 minutes
This module explores the challenges faced by non-traditional learners in Indian higher education, focusing on academic and social integration. It provides insights into institutional strategies that promote inclusion and equity, and examines the impact of classroom environments and teacher-student interactions on student success.
What's included
1 video9 readings2 assignments
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
9 readings•Total 44 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Analytical Approach for Achieving Integration in Academic and Social Domains•6 minutes
- Classroom Environment and Challenges of Students in Academic Domain•6 minutes
- Consequences: Lack of Academic Integration and Falling into a Low-Performance Trap•6 minutes
- Low Teacher—Student Informal Interactions•4 minutes
- Low Rates of Participation in Orientation Programme and in Extra-Curricular Activities•4 minutes
- Managing Student Diversity in Academic and Social Domains•6 minutes
- Strategies to Achieve Inclusion in Social Domains•4 minutes
- Concluding Observations•3 minutes
2 assignments•Total 76 minutes
- Navigating Diversity in Indian Higher Education•16 minutes
- The Governance and Management of Higher Education in India Final Assessment•60 minutes
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