New Delhi, Aug 3 : The University Grants Committee (UGC) committee has recommends an additional 735 universities during the 11th Plan ending 2012.

The committee, comprising Professor Duraisami of Madras University and Professor Sudhansu Bhusan of National University of Education Planning and Administration, has said that more universities will be needed to increase the gross enrolment rate.

According to reports, the committee set up to suggest reforms on the affiliation system and monitoring of education in 11th plan. It has worked out a formula of 20,000 students per university to achieve the target.

In view of the estimation of National Knowledge Commission last year, the committee''s report assumes significance, when it said that at least 1,500 universities are needed to make India a knowledge society.

At present there are 388 universities in the country. (ANI)