Maharashtra Sees Explosive Growth in Autonomous Colleges, Mumbai University Dominates
The landscape of higher education in Maharashtra has undergone a dramatic transformation, with the number of autonomous colleges more than tripling over the past five years. From a base of 100 institutions in 2020, the state now boasts 314 autonomous colleges as of 2025, marking a staggering increase of over 200%. This surge is largely attributed to regulatory changes and a growing push for academic independence.
Mumbai University at the Forefront of Autonomous Expansion
Leading this charge is Mumbai University, which accounts for the highest number of autonomous colleges in Maharashtra with 130 institutions. Following closely is Savitribai Phule Pune University with 74 autonomous colleges. Of the total 314 colleges, 150 fall under the categories of arts, science, and commerce, managed by the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE).
UGC's Relaxed Norms Fuel Rapid Adoption
A key driver behind this exponential growth has been the easing of norms by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2023. Previously, the 2018 UGC notification mandated a minimum 'A' grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) as a prerequisite for autonomy. However, the revised regulations removed this requirement, allowing all accredited colleges to apply. Now, any college with 10 years of existence and accreditation from NAAC or the National Board of Accreditation (for at least three programmes) is eligible.
This policy shift has opened the doors for numerous institutions, including those with lower NAAC grades, to seek autonomous status. Madhu Nair, an academic and former dean of commerce at Mumbai University, noted, "Autonomy, in the past, was considered a revolutionary change and a boon to students who could select courses as per their choice. Autonomous colleges were able to introduce innovative, relevant, and tailor-made courses to suit different segments of students. The norms for eligibility were stricter."
Concerns Over Academic Standards and Fee Hikes
Despite the benefits, the rapid proliferation of autonomous colleges has sparked concerns among educationists. Nair cautioned, "Relaxing the norms for granting autonomy and the absence of a continuous and meticulous check and balance system has resulted in a possibility of colleges surpassing university norms and profiteering. Some have even diluted the standard of passing and examination norms to suit their convenience."
He further warned that deviations in admission eligibility, promotion rules, or evaluation standards could compromise the quality of graduates, potentially tarnishing the reputation of affiliating universities like Mumbai University, which oversees eight lakh students. "The only solution is a careful selection of deserving institutions for grant of autonomy followed by continuous monitoring to prevent misuse," he emphasized.
Historical Context and Model Institutions
In Mumbai, St Xavier's College pioneered autonomous status in 2010, initially standing alone in this category. Under the leadership of former principal Father Frazer Mascarenhas, the college leveraged autonomy to introduce interdisciplinary learning, allowing students to choose subjects from other disciplines in their second year. This model has since gained wider acceptance under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Mascarenhas supports the concept, stating, "I think all colleges should opt for autonomy because it is a means to achieve quality if honestly pursued. Monitoring and accountability are part of the autonomy structure. As for fees, for aided autonomous colleges, a major increase is not possible since grants are being received."
Broader Perspectives on Quality and Fees
Educationist RS Mali, former vice-chancellor of North Maharashtra University, offered a nuanced view, suggesting that quality issues are not exclusive to autonomous colleges. "It has become difficult to get students in classrooms. There is no seriousness. I have not noticed a drastic change in examination results of colleges even two years after autonomy. As for fees, students will not go to colleges if they fail to provide quality education in the long run. Colleges know they will not get students if fees are on the higher side," he said, highlighting the shared responsibility of stakeholders.
Alignment with National Education Policy 2020
The growth aligns with NEP 2020's recommendation to phase out the affiliation system and promote autonomous and stand-alone degree-awarding institutions. Under this policy, top colleges under Mumbai University are gradually moving towards empowered autonomy, which enables them to award joint degrees with the affiliating university, distinguishing them from regular autonomous institutions.
As Maharashtra continues to lead in autonomous college numbers, the focus remains on balancing expansion with rigorous oversight to ensure that academic excellence and student welfare are not compromised in the pursuit of institutional independence.
