New Delhi (PTI): Universities will have to earmark 20 per cent of the grant-in-aid received from University Grants Commission (UGC) for promotion of basic scientific research.

"To promote scientific research in the universities, the UGC has been advised that while granting grant-in-aid to the institutes of higher learning 20 per cent of the grant may be earmarked exclusively for research related activities," D. Purandeshwari, Minister of State for Human Resource Development said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Meanwhile, all universities and colleges accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) will have to establish an Internal Quality Assurance Cell to improve the quality of higher education being imparted to the students.