Radhakrishnan Commission -The University Education Commission (1948-49)

The Radhakrishnan Commission was appointed by the Government of India on November 4,

1948, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. Because of the fact that Dr.
Radhkrishnan was the Chairman of the Commission, it is known as ‘Radhakrishnan
Commission’. The Commission was appointed to report on Indian University Education. The
purpose was to suggest areas for improvement and cater the present and future requirements of
the country.
The Radhakrishnan Commission Report is an important document in the history of Indian
education. It has accelerated the progress of University education in India in the post-
independence period. The Commission examined the system of University education and
recommended that the universities must meet the increasing demands of every type of higher
education.

Main recommendations of Radhakrishnan Commission 1948-49

The main recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Commission 1948-49 to reform higher
education in India are following:

1. Aims of University Education

The Commission suggested following aims of University education: to produce able citizens, to
preserve and develop the culture and civilization, to generate new ideas, to promote wisdom and
knowledge of all kinds, to create a consciousness, to make new discoveries and inventions, to
instill moral values to develop the spirit of universal brotherhood and internationalism, etc.

2. Teaching Staff
The Commission also recommended improvement in the salary and service conditions of
university teachers to attract more able and meritorious persons in central and provincial
services. There will be four classes of teachers: Professors, Readers, Lecturers and Instructors.
The promotion from one post to another will be on the grounds of merit. Every university must
follow definite rules regarding the Provident Fund, leave and hours of work.

3. Standard of Teaching
The commission recommended the following suggestions to maintain a high standard in
teaching:

a. There should be provision of refresher courses for high school and intermediate college
teachers.
b. Well-equipped and well-staffed tutorial instructions.
c. There should be no prescribed text-books.
d. There should be an increase in working days to ensure a minimum 180 days in a year,
excluding examination days, with 3 terms.
e. The lectures should be carefully planned and supplemented by tutorials, library works etc.
f. Improvement of University libraries and laboratory facilities etc.

4. Courses of Study
The Commission recommended the reorganization of syllabi and reading [Link] general as
well as specific interest of the students should be taken care of while designing the courses of the
university level.

5. Post Graduate Training and Research

The Commission suggested that a large number of scholarships should be provided to
meritorious students at Master and Ph.D. Degree stages by the Ministry of Education,
Government of India. There should be uniform regulations for Master of Arts and Master of
Science in all universities of India.

6. Religious Education
The commission maintained religious neutrality by not prescribing any religious education. But
it puts stress on spiritual and moral education. For moral and spiritual development of students,
the following recommendations were made:

a. Educational institutions should commence with a few minutes of silent meditation.

b. In the first year of the Degree course, the lives of great religious leaders and reformers may
be taught.
c. In the second year, the students should be taught about the basic unity of all religions with
the help of relevant portions from different scriptures like the Gita, Koran, and Bible, etc.
d. In the third year, the central problems of the philosophy of religion may be discussed.

7. Medium of teaching
The Commission recommended the use of regional language in higher education with the option
to use the federal languages as medium of instruction either for some subjects or for all subjects.

8. Examination
The Commission was against the present system of examination in India. However, the
Commission didn’t abolish the exams but advocated that examinations, if rightly designed and
intelligently used, can prove a useful factor in the educational process. The recommendations on
the examination reforms were:

a. The objective type exams should be introduced along with essay-type examinations, but the
type of questions, method of evaluation, etc. should be thoroughly changed to make the tests
more valid and reliable. Also, objective tests should be introduced as early as possible.
b. The work done by the student in the classroom during sessions should be given due
importance and one-third marks should be reserved for it.
c. The whole course should be divided into more or less self-contained sections rather than
holding one examination at the end of 3 years of Degree course.
d. To get first, second and third division students must obtain 70% or more, 55-60%, and 40 %
respectively.
e. The system of grace marks should be abolished.
f. The selection of examiners should be made properly. At least 5 years of teaching experience
should be a condition of selection. Also, they should be appointed for a period of three years.
g. There should be a Board of examiners in each university for advising the teaching staff of the
University and colleges concerning the techniques in devising objective tests and providing
criteria and materials for the periodical revisions of the curriculum.
h. Viva-voce examinations should be introduced in the sphere of professional education.
i. A degree should not be a prerequisite to enter the public service. Special state examinations
should be organized for recruitment to various services.

9. Rural University
The commission observed that rural education in India is highly neglected. The vast population
residing in the Indian villages is not getting opportunities for secondary and higher education.
Without rural education, a country like India cannot prosper. Rural education should start with
basic education and end with University education. Therefore, the Commission suggested that:

a. Rural universities should be set up in order to meet the needs of higher education for rural
people.
b. There should be establishment of rural colleges affiliated to the rural university.
c. The aim of the university should be to provide general education to boys and girls in rural
areas and to bring about the development of their individual interests.
d. The new agricultural Colleges should be in close association with rural Universities so that
agricultural education is supported and enriched by contact with other fields.
e. The number of students should be limited to 2500 in both rural colleges and universities.
f. The undergraduate students should be encouraged to opt for a curriculum of some
professional or occupational use.
g. There should be provision of research facilities in rural universities.
h. Establishment of an All India Institute of Rural Education to coordinate and guide rural
education

10. Women Education

The commission also gave much importance to women’s education. The Commission is of the
view that there cannot be educated people without educated women. The Commission made the
following recommendations regarding women education:

a. There should be ample opportunities for women’s education.

b. The education of women should be in accordance with the requirements and special aptitudes
of women. They should be encouraged to study home economics and home management.
c. Lady teachers should be paid equally as male teachers.
d. Co-education may continue in schools and Universities except secondary schools.
e. Due importance and regard should be given to female students admitted to colleges planned
for men.

11. Students Activities and Welfare:

a. There should be thorough physical examination of students during the time of admission and
at least once a year thereafter.
b. All universities should have adequate health services.
c. Sanitary inspection of campus and hostels should be undertaken on a regular basis.
d. Social service should be emphasized and it should remain on a voluntary basis.
e. There should be provision of N.C.C. training for all students.
f. Students Unions should be free from political agendas.
g. An office of Dean of students should be established in colleges and universities.

12. . Finance and Administration of a University:

Regarding finance and administration of a university the commission made following
recommendations:

a. For the allocation of grants to universities, University Grants Commission should be set-up.
Also, it recommended the state to finance higher education.
b. The Commission recommended that university education should be placed on the
concurrent list.
c. Government colleges should be gradually transformed into constituent colleges of the
universities.
d. The Central Government should accept the responsibility for finance, coordination, etc. The
university authorities should be constitute the Chancellor (who is to be the Governor of the
State), the Vice-Chancellor, the Senate (Court), the Executive Council (Syndicate), the
Academic Council, the Faculties, the Boards of Studies, the Finance Committee, and the
Selection Committee.

13. Professional Education

The Commission categorized professional education into 5 categories: Agriculture, Engineering
and technology, legal, commercial and medical education.

a. Agricultural education: The commission recommended introducing the subject of

agriculture in all stages of education i.e. primary, secondary and higher level. All the existing
agricultural colleges and institutes should be improved.
b. Commercial education: The commission recommended making commercial education more
practical.

c. Engineering and Technology: The commission suggested that there should be an increase
in the number of engineering schools and colleges. The existing engineering colleges should
be upgraded and they should be in close liaison with universities.

d. Legal education: The commission recommended that law colleges should be thoroughly
reorganized. The students pursuing law courses should not be allowed to pursue any other
degree course simultaneously.
e. Medical examination: The commission recommended that the maximum number of
admissions should not exceed 100. There should be a single campus for all departments of
study which require hospital facilities.

Conclusion
Thus, we can say that the Report of the Commission played a great role in the development of
education in India in the post-Independence period. It gave various recommendations with regard
to aims of university education, educational standards, professional education, women education,
curriculum, examination system etc. It had revolutionized Indian education to great extent. The
greatest achievement of the commission has been the appointment of the University Grants
Commission. Since then it has been functioning as an autonomous statutory body.