The Union Human Resource Development Ministry on Friday withdrew the deemed to be university status granted to the National School of Drama (NSD) as it had failed to fulfil the stipulated conditions.
The NSD Society, in its meeting on October 29 last, had recommended to the government to de-notify the institution's deemed to be university status so that it could continue as an institute of national importance or a special university to be established by an Act of Parliament.
The NSD Society was also of the view that deemed university status could undermine the professional training, autonomy and flexibility required in the creative fields such as theatre. Importantly, it was felt that the academic and administrative autonomy of the NSD would be adversely affected and it would face specific problems in the matter of appointing teachers best suited to the practice-oriented theatre training institute.
The NSD was given the deemed university status in March 2005, provided it adhered to the guidelines/instructions issued by the UGC from time to time, including taking steps to strengthen its research capabilities, teaching faculty and library.
