Patna: Patna Women's College, a constituent college of Patna University (PU), has been accorded autonomous tag by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The college administration has received a letter from the UGC about according the autonomous tag.

Patna Women's College, founded in 1940 by Bishop B.J. Sullivan S.J., Bishop of Patna and Mother M. Josephine A.C. Superior General of the Apostolic Carmel is the first institution in the state to have the autonomous tag.

A senior teacher of Patna Women's College said: "The college has received a letter from UGC according autonomous status to PWC. The college forwarded the letter to Patna University vice-chancellor Rash Bihari Prasad Singh and PU pro-VC and the registrar's office so that the university administration can issue a notification."

The teacher claimed that college principal Sister Marie Jessie A.C will hold a news meet once the university administration issues a notification regarding the autonomous tag. PU VC Singh said: "The university administration has received a letter from Patna Women's College, however, I have not gone through the letter."

The college has been a Naac-accredited Grade A college since 2004 for the past three terms. A college teacher said: "As per UGC norms, a college which is awarded Grade A for three consecutive terms can apply for the autonomous status. The state does not have a single autonomous college till date."

Sources said with Patna Women's College getting an autonomous tag, the college will be benefited as it can open post-graduate course, semester systems and even courses.

However, some teachers from the college are not very happy as they do not want to remain a part of an autonomous institution as they apprehend more work pressure and unwanted harassment at the hands of the governing body.