HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has advocated for norm-based funding for universities to ensure equitable distribution of grants and development of a model which would set standards for affiliating colleges to enhance the quality of education. Speaking at a function in New Delhi yesterday, Mr Sibal said there is a need to handhold weakest institutions so as to bring a paradigm shift in the quality. He also suggested that the grants could be linked to the inflations and revised accordingly every two to three years in keeping with the growth prospects of the varsities. Stating that universities should be free from any interference and shackles to chart their own development process, the minister said the system of affiliation should also be looked into as it is impeding their functioning.