The HRD ministry on Monday awarded Institution of Eminence (IoE) status to six educational institutions. With IIT-Delhi, IIT-Bombay, BITS-Pilani, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Manipal Academy of Higher Education, there is the Reliance Foundation's proposed Jio Institute.

An institution that is still on paper was named among the three private and three public universities out of which the three public institutions will receive special funding and complete autonomy.

University Grants Commission (UGC) defended the move saying the institution was accorded the coveted tag under greenfield category for new or proposed institutions that are yet to come into existence.

However, the declaration of a yet-to-be launched institute as "institute of eminence" didn't go down well with social media users. After receiving a massive backlash from social media users, the HRD ministry issued a clarification saying that a UGC clause "provides for a completely new proposal to establish an institution to be considered under this project".

"A separate category of applications have been invited from the sponsoring organisations for setting up new or greenfield projects," read the statement.

According to the statement, the purpose of this provision is to allow private investment in building "global class educational infrastructure".

Out of the 11 applications received and assed by the UGC-empowered empowered expert committee, Jio Institute satisfied all the four parameters in consideration.

The clarification stated four parameters such as:

a) Availability of land for construction of the institution.

b) Putting in place a core team with very high qualification and wide experience.

c) Making available funding for setting up the institution.

d) A strategic vision plan with clear annual milestones and action plan.

In response to some misinformation campaign in social media regarding "Institutes of Eminence", please find herewith clarifications on commonly raised questions #InstituteofEminence pic.twitter.com/K6IB5ILpfb Ministry of HRD (@HRDMinistry) July 9, 2018





The position of an Institution of Eminence (IoE) has been given to six institutes to raise their standards as world-class institutions.

R Subramanyam, secretary, (higher education) in the HRD ministry, has defended the central government's decision to list Reliance's Jio Institute as an Institute of Eminence.

Regulation of Institutes of Eminence has given three categories: first, public institutions in which IITs were considered; second, private institutions in which BITS Pilani and Manipal are there; and the third category, is the greenfield private institutions which are not there right now but where well-meaning responsible private investment wants to bring global standards to the country. In the greenfield category, 11 proposals came. The committee after due diligence and reading through their proposals and ability to mobilise land, building etc, committee concluded that only one institution is eligible, according to Subramanyam.

He added that Rs 1,000 crore will only be granted to public institutions like Indian Institute of Science, IIT-Delhi and IIT-Mumbai. "There is a lot of wrong propaganda that is going on, it is not correct", he said.

Subramanyam further said that the Jio Institute is starting on a greenfield mode and they will only get "Letter of Intent" which states that institute must be launched in three years. "If they set up, then they get 'IOA' status, right now they don't have the tag, they only have letter of intent", he added.

However, many are not convinced with the reasoning presented by the HRD ministry. Twitter users continued questioning Jio Institute's credentials.

Clarification by @PrakashJavdekar on #JioInstitute being granted Institution of Eminence tag further clarifies some basic facts on India

Experience/Track record doesn't matter, as long as you can show the money & contacts - all doors will open for you https://t.co/FUuKGQepBk Akash Banerjee (@akashbanerjee) July 10, 2018





His Excellency and His Eminence! This is ridiculous! What is stunning is the brazenness of Modis government. Cronyism is stratospheric in India. Honestly, too bizarre. #JioModiJi https://t.co/Xh2TOgNttE Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) July 10, 2018





Jio Institute has not even been set up. It is not in existence. Yet govt grants it eminence tag. That is the importance of being M Ambani. Yashwant Sinha (@YashwantSinha) July 10, 2018



