UGC vs AICTE
UGC and AICTE are two apex organisations that cater for the higher studies in India.
One of the main differences between University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), is that the later one basically deals with technical education.
When talking of UGC, it is the apex body that approves universities in the country. UGC provide funds for affiliated universities and colleges. The UGC also conducts exams, known as NET, for appointing teachers in colleges. The headquarters of UGC is in New Delhi, and there are six regional offices at Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bhopal and Bangalore.
The AICTE is only a statutory body, which deals with co-ordinated development and proper planning of the technical education system in the country. All the Engineering, MBA and Pharmacy colleges are affiliated with the All India Council for Technical Education.
The AICTE, which was established in November 1945, has its headquarters in New Delhi. The UGC was established in 1956 as a statutory body of the Union Government. However, UGC was formally inaugurated by the Education, Natural Resources and Scientific Research Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, in 1953.
While technical institutions are overlooked by the AICTE, the other universities and colleges fall under the UGC.
When talking about the function of the University Grants Commission, the UGC ACT says that the first function is to look into the financial needs of universities. It then allocates and disburses grants to these universities. Well, the other academic functions come only after these functions. On the other hand, the AICTE ACT gives priority to undertaking surveys in various fields of technical education at all levels. The funds’ allocation and disbursement comes second to this.
Another difference that can be seen is that the UGC is free to do whatever it likes, but AICTE is not free from the intervention of the Human Resources Development Ministry.
Summary
1. One of the main differences between AICTE and UGC, is that the former is exclusively formed for technical education.
2. While technical institutions are overlooked by the AICTE, the other universities and colleges fall under the UGC.
3. UGC approves universities in the country. It provides funds for affiliated universities and colleges. The AICTE is only a statutory body, which deals with co-ordinated development and proper planning of the technical education system in the country.
4. The AICTE was established in 1945, and the UGC in 1956.