Institution of National Importance

Institution of National Importance

Subject – Governance

Context – The Rajya Sabha passed the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021

Concept –

• An Institution of National Importance refers to an autonomous institute established under an Act, with the power to hold examinations, grant degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions or titles.
• These institutes of national importance receive funding from the central government.

Benefits of Institute of National Importance

• Functional autonomy to enhance efficiency, quality and accountability.
• Increased funding.
• Have a better quality of education imparted, and improved research facilities.
• Faster decision-making capabilities.
• Minimal interference from the political executive.
• Such institutions might be able to provide more scholarships to the students.
• They can also provide more sports facilities, seminars, etc.

The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021

• It seeks to amend the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Act, 1998.
  • The 1998 Act established the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Punjab and declared it as an Institution of National Importance.
• The Bill declares six additional National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research as Institutions of National Importance.
• These institutes are located in: (i) Ahmedabad, (ii) Hajipur, (iii) Hyderabad, (iv) Kolkata, (v) Guwahati, and (vi) Raebareli.
• The Bill provides for a Council to coordinate the activities among the institutes under the Bill to ensure development of pharmaceutical education and research and maintenance of standards.

Institutions of Eminence (IoEs)

• The institutes of eminence scheme under the Union human resource development (HRD) ministry aims to project Indian institutes to global recognition.
• The selected institutes will enjoy complete academic and administrative autonomy.
• The selection shall be made through challenge method mode by the Empowered Expert Committee constituted for the purpose.
• Grant: The public institutions under IOE tag will receive a government grant of 1,000 crore, while the private institutions will not get any funding under the scheme.