The University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted autonomy to eight central universities in India, providing them with greater flexibility in academic, administrative, and financial matters. This move aims to enhance the quality of higher education and empower universities to make independent decisions.

Category I autonomy grants universities the highest level of independence, allowing them to determine their own curriculum, fee structure, and admission processes. Category II autonomy provides universities with some degree of flexibility but with certain limitations set by the UGC.

This decision is expected to bring significant changes to the educational landscape in India, potentially leading to more diverse and innovative academic programmes, improved governance, and enhanced research opportunities at these universities.