Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee: Overseeing Professional Course Fees
Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee regulates professional course fees for educational institutions.
Photo by Aubrey Odom
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Governance, Polity - Regulatory bodies
Link to fundamental rights, right to education
Potential for questions on quasi-judicial bodies
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Background
The concept of regulating fees in private professional institutions gained prominence in India in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, driven by concerns over affordability and accessibility of higher education. Prior to formal regulatory mechanisms, fees were largely determined by the institutions themselves, leading to significant variations and, in some cases, exploitative practices. Landmark Supreme Court judgments, such as the *T.M.A.
Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka* (2002) case, played a crucial role in shaping the regulatory landscape. While upholding the rights of private educational institutions to administer their affairs, the Court also emphasized the need for transparency and prevention of profiteering.
This led to the establishment of state-level committees to oversee admissions and fee structures, balancing institutional autonomy with the public interest. The evolution of these committees reflects a broader trend towards greater accountability and standardization in the higher education sector.
Latest Developments
In recent years, Admission and Fee Regulatory Committees have faced increasing scrutiny regarding their effectiveness in controlling fee hikes and ensuring transparency. Several states have been exploring mechanisms to enhance the committees' powers, including granting them greater authority to audit institutional finances and impose penalties for non-compliance. There's also a growing emphasis on incorporating student and parent representatives into the committee's decision-making process to ensure a more inclusive and balanced approach.
Furthermore, the use of technology, such as online portals for fee submission and grievance redressal, is being promoted to improve transparency and accessibility. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 also advocates for greater regulation and standardization of fees across higher education institutions, potentially leading to further reforms in the functioning of these committees.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee: 1. It is a statutory body established under an Act of Parliament. 2. Its primary function is to determine the fee structure for all professional courses in both government and private unaided institutions. 3. The Committee's decisions are binding on the institutions for the specified academic session. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect as the committee is usually constituted by state governments, not through an Act of Parliament. Statement 2 is incorrect because it typically regulates fees only in private unaided institutions. Statement 3 is correct.
2. In the context of fee regulation in private professional institutions, which of the following factors is/are typically considered by the Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee while determining the fee structure? 1. Infrastructure and facilities provided by the institution. 2. Faculty qualifications and experience. 3. Prevailing economic conditions and affordability for students. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
All three factors are generally considered by the Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee to ensure a fair and justified fee structure.
3. Which of the following statements accurately reflects the Supreme Court's stance on the regulation of fees in private unaided educational institutions, as articulated in the T.M.A. Pai Foundation case?
- A.Private institutions have absolute autonomy in determining their fee structure without any external regulation.
- B.The state government has the power to completely control the fee structure in private institutions.
- C.Private institutions have the right to reasonable surplus, but profiteering is prohibited and regulation is permissible to prevent it.
- D.The Supreme Court mandated a uniform fee structure across all private and government institutions.
Show Answer
Answer: C
The T.M.A. Pai Foundation case allowed private institutions to charge fees that allow for reasonable surplus for expansion and improvement, but prohibited profiteering and allowed for regulation to prevent it.