Following the Indian Model of Higher Education
Higher education in India has evolved in divergent and distinct streams with each stream monitored by an apex body, indirectly controlled by the Ministry of Human Resources.
The universities are funded by the state governments. However, there are 12 central universities that are maintained by the federal government and due to relatively large funding, have an economic advantage over the others.
The University Grants Commission coordinates, sets standards and gives grants to the universities and colleges. The University of Delhi in New Delhi, India, for example, has more than 75 colleges affiliated in its name. Some of the oldest colleges are St. Stephen’s College (founded 1881), Hindu College (founded 1899) and Ramjas College (founded 1917). Tuition in these colleges is heavily subsidized and can be as low as $50 a year at the undergraduate level.
A bachelor’s degree in arts, commerce and sciences takes three years, after 12 years of school education. In specialized fields such as law, architecture, engineering and medicine, the bachelor’s program is five years or more.
A master’s degree, which could be based on coursework done without a thesis, is typically a two-year commitment. A pre-doctoral program, master of philosophy (M.Phil), is taken after completing the master’s degree. This can be either research based or can include coursework as well. A doctoral program can last anywhere between three to five years, depending on completion of an original thesis.
