It was established in 1953 on the lines of University Grants Commission of the United Kingdom, with the objective of coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university education in India.
The mandate of the commission include,
Financial Functions
Issues
As per TSR Subramanian Committee recommendations, UGC must be dissolved or must be reformed on the lines that it must focus only on improving the quality of education whereas fund disbursement functions must be entrusted on another agency.