Scheme of Development Assistance to Colleges for the Construction of Buildings helps eligible colleges across India upgrade their campus infrastructure by providing financial support for building essential facilities like classrooms, laboratories, and hostels.
Scheme has been closed or it was a one time scheme which has been closed by the government.
Scheme of Development Assistance to Colleges for the Construction of Buildings - Introduction
Scheme of Development Assistance to Colleges for the Construction of Buildings was a dedicated scheme run by the University Grants Commission under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It supported colleges in strengthening and expanding their physical infrastructure during the plan periods.
Through this program, colleges could get financial support to construct or renovate important campus spaces such as classrooms, libraries, laboratories, administrative blocks, staff quarters, and hostels. To take part, a college had to first form a building committee, finalize all architectural plans and cost estimates, and officially resolve to take up the construction project using the support given under this scheme.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Scheme of Development Assistance to Colleges for the Construction of Buildings |
|---|---|
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Infra |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Transport & Infrastructure, Education & Learning |
| Target Beneficiaries | University / Institution |
| Sub Category | Infrastructure, Resources for schools |
| Benefit Type | Cash |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Nodal Department | University Grants Commission |
| Tags | College, Construction, Building, Grant, Infrastructure, Development |
Benefits
Financial Support
The scheme offered funding for both new construction and the renovation or extension of existing campus buildings. Whether a college needed to build a new laboratory or restore an older hostel, the scheme covered essential infrastructure projects. The University Grants Commission provided financial support on a 100% basis, subject to the approved cost ceiling. Generally, colleges could claim support up to 60% of the total grants allocated under their General Development Assistance during a specific plan period.
Payment Process
The funds were released in clear, manageable stages to keep the project clear and trackable:
| Installment Phase | Release Percentage |
|---|---|
| Approval of Plans and Estimates | 50% |
| After Submission of Audited Reports | 40% |
| Completion of Project | 10% |
Important Conditions
For instance, if a college planned a library expansion, it had to make sure the construction stayed within the approved plan. If costs went beyond the grant, the college had to cover the difference from its own resources. Projects had to avoid any funding-related delays and be finished within the agreed timeframe.
Eligibility
To apply for this support, an institution had to meet the following criteria:
1. The applicant had to be an officially recognized college. 2. The college had to appear in the list maintained by the University Grants Commission. 3. It had to be included under Sections 2(f) and 12B of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.
Application Process
Offline Application Steps
STEP 1 - Constitute the Building Committee and determine requirements. The college had to form a dedicated building committee. This committee had to include the Principal, a representative from the affiliating university, an official from the PWD or similar government body (not below the rank of Assistant Engineer), and various staff representatives. This team finalized blueprints and cost estimates to make sure the funds were used well.
STEP 2 - Submit the proposal. Once the committee approved the project, the college submitted its application using the prescribed format along with all required supporting documents to the University Grants Commission. The Commission then reviewed the proposal and communicated its approval status directly to the college.
Documents
Required for Initial Approval
A college had to prepare the building committee composition, a formal resolution copy, a rate conformity certificate signed by a government engineer (Annexure I), detailed cost estimates (Annexure II), approved blueprints, and the building project certificate (Annexure III).
Required for Second Installment (40%)
The college had to submit an audited use certificate (Annexure IV), an audited statement of expenditure (Annexure V), and a progress report showing the current construction stage.
Required for Final Release (10%)
Upon completion, the college provided the revised final cost estimates, total audited use certificate, audited income and expenditure statement, audited assets certificate (Annexure VI), the formal completion certificate (Annexure VII), and clear photos of the finished building.
References
Official Guidelines for Construction of Buildings
Official UGC Guidelines for the Scheme (PDF)
FAQ's
Is the Scheme of Development Assistance to Colleges for the Construction of Buildings still running in 2026?
No. This was a plan-period scheme run by the University Grants Commission. It has been closed, and UGC now supports college infrastructure mainly through its Block Grant to Colleges model.
Who was eligible for this scheme?
Officially recognized colleges included in the list maintained by the UGC under Sections 2(f) and 12B of the UGC Act, 1956 were eligible for support.
What kind of buildings did the scheme cover?
The scheme covered construction, renovation, and extension of classrooms, libraries, laboratories, administrative blocks, staff quarters, hostels, and other campus buildings.