Jadavpur University Gone, Which Colleges Still Have Institutes of Eminence Status?

Kolkata: In a major setback, Jadavpur University has been dropped from the Centre’s proposed list of Institutes of Eminence (IoE). Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, blamed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the development, alleging that her government’s "apathy" led to the university losing its IoE dream. 

Mamata Banerjee’s Apathy Killed Jadavpur University’s IoE Dream!

"Jadavpur University, one of India’s finest institutions, was set to receive the prestigious Institute of Eminence (IoE) status—bringing ₹1,000 crore in central funding & greater autonomy. But thanks to Mamata Banerjee’s sheer negligence, JU lost this golden opportunity!

The state govt first slashed JU’s proposed budget from ₹3,299 Cr to ₹1,015 Cr & then further down to ₹606 Cr—forcing the university to arrange 25% of funds on its own! UGC & EEC rejected this underfunded proposal, and JU was removed from the IoE list.

While Failed Chief Minister Mamata blows crores on freebies & PR gimmicks, Bengal’s top university was abandoned by her government! This is a direct betrayal of students, teachers & Bengal’s academic future", tweeted Majumdar. 

The IoE scheme, launched by the government, grants special status to select institutions to help them achieve world-class standards. While Jadavpur University has been excluded, several public and private institutions continue to hold the prestigious tag.

List of Institutes of Eminence

Public Institutions

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur
• University of Delhi
• University of Hyderabad
• Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

Private Institutions

• Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education
• OP Jindal Global University
• Shiv Nadar (Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University)

About the Institutions of Eminence Scheme

The Institutions of Eminence (IoE) scheme was introduced to fulfil the government's commitment to elevating higher educational institutions to world-class teaching and research standards. Announced in the 2016 Union Budget by the Finance Minister, the initiative aims to identify ten public and ten private institutions and support their transformation into globally recognized centres of excellence.

The scheme is designed to enhance access to high-quality education while maintaining affordability for Indian students, fostering innovation, and strengthening India's position in the global academic landscape.