Espousing the cause of women's education, the 12th Plan document of the University Grants Commission, UGC, has proposed 20 exclusive universities for them and 800 constituent colleges under the Central varsities.

This is to ensure equity in access to quality education. The UGC has also sought a four-time hike in allocation during the Five Year Plan period from Rs 46,632 crore to Rs 1,84,740 crore to achieve its proposed initiatives.

These include upgrading of autonomous colleges with potential of excellence, enhancing intake capacity of institutes of higher education and development of 'college cluster universities'.