In a landmark move, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune and the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata have been officially notified as Institutions Deemed to be Universities (Distinct Category) by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
This prestigious upgrade, granted under Section 3 of the UGC Act, empowers both institutes to award degrees and introduce doctoral and research programmes, moving beyond their traditional diploma offerings. This shift aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to drive autonomy, innovation, and academic excellence in the field of media and cinema.
A senior Ministry official stated that the institutes will now participate in NIRF rankings, integrate with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), and launch innovative academic programmes to expand their global standing.
🔍 A Glimpse Into the Legacy
- FTII Pune: Established in 1960 at the iconic Prabhat Studios, it has evolved into a premier hub for film and television training. By 1974, its Television Training wing was fully integrated in Pune. In 2017, several PG Diploma programmes were declared equivalent to Master’s degrees by AIU.
- SRFTI Kolkata: Founded in 1995 and named after cinematic legend Satyajit Ray, this institute offers specialized postgraduate courses in cinema and digital media.
This recognition marks a giant leap forward for film education in India, promising global opportunities and enhanced academic credibility.
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