Why in News?
- The Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee (DRPSC) on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports presented a report reviewing the performance of Autonomous Bodies (ABs) under the Department of Higher Education.
What are Autonomous Bodies? Set up either through:
a. A specific Act of Parliament, or
b. Registration under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- They receive government funding but enjoy functional autonomy.
Key Issues Highlighted by DRPSC
1. National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Leakages → e.g., NEET-UG paper leak.
- Postponement of CUET due to tech glitches.
- Delays in result declarations.
- Poor vendor management for exam centres/software.
2. National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
- Long, bureaucratic accreditation processes.
- Allegations of corruption and subjective assessment.
3. University Grants Commission (UGC)
- Vacant Chairperson post.
- Delay in finalising UGC Regulations 2025.
- Infrastructure deficits in HEIs.
- Issues in faculty recruitment, including EWS quota appointments.
4. Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)
- Inadequate budget to support research grants, fellowships, and publications.
5. Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
- Non-implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendations.
- Staff shortages and administrative delays.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
