Indian Universities Act, 1904
In the early years of the 20th century, there was an atmosphere of political instability in the country. The government's perception under private management was that the standard of education was declining and educational institutions had become factories producing political revolutionaries. The nationalists also accepted that the level of education was declining, but they blamed the government for this and alleged that the government was not taking any meaningful steps to remove illiteracy.In 1902, a commission was constituted under the chairmanship of Sir Thomas Rayleigh, whose objective was to assess the condition of the universities and make suggestions regarding their efficiency and their constitution. Primary and secondary education were not included in this scope. Based on its recommendations, the Indian Universities Act was passed in 1904. according to this act
(i) Universities should focus more on studies and research.
(ii) The number and duration of the Allows of the University should be reduced and a provision should be made that these sub-members should be mainly nominated by the Government.(iii) Government control over universities was increased. The government was given veto on the resolutions passed by the Senate. The government had the right to change and amend the rules made by the Senate. If the government considers necessary, new rules can also be made in this regard.
(iv) The government's control over the private colleges was further tightened.(v) An amount of Rs. 5 lakh per annum was sanctioned for 5 years for higher education and upliftment of universities. (vi) To determine the territorial boundaries of the universities to the Governor-General Right given.
Curzon imposed government control in universities in the name of quality and efficiency.overly tightened. But its real aim was to educate the supporters of nationalism.They had to stop the number of people and make them government devotees. The nationalists sharply criticized the act and saw it as an attempt to consolidate imperialism. He alleged that the act was an attempt to kill nationalist sentiments. Gopal Krishna Gokhale called it "National An Act to take education backwards".
