Today, Higher Education Institutions are using ICT to provide administration and management services, develop course materials, facilitate communication among students and increase cooperation and research. Information on how most Universities have integrated ICT and to what stage is lacking. Nevertheless, some studies indicate differences in the level of the use of ICT among HEIs. The present study discusses the framework developed by the Joint Research Centre, European Commission that can be applied to assess digital co mpetency of Higher Education Institutions in India. A questionnaire, based on the above-stated framework has been formulated to assess, analyse and ascertain the status of ICT integration on the 6 parametersnamely -Leadership and Governance Practices, Teaching and Learning Practices, Professional Development of the Teaching and Non-Teaching staff, Assessment Practices, Collaboration and Networking; and Infrastructure. The expected result will be of interest to policymakers and academicians in the field of Higher Education in India.

The demand for higher education has been steadily rising all over the world including developing nations like India.  As higher education systems are rapidly expanding, the  administration and management of HEIs (Higher  Educational Institutions, that is, universities and institutes  offering Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral level education)  are becoming a complex task. HEIs are now much more  diversified in types of institutions, modes of delivery and  backgrounds of students. Technology can help HEIs  innovate and serve the diversified student body by  providing accessible and flexible education experiences.  Information and Communication Technology (ICT) also  offers unprecedented opportunities for a seamless sharing  of knowledge and information between university  administrators, teachers, students and all stakeholders. The  main objective of this study is to examine and compare the status of the use of ICT between different types of  universities within India. It will further look into the  challenges faced by these institutions to implement digital  technologies. Besides academic literature, the present  study draws upon my previous article on the use of ICT in  higher education institutions in India. The study indicates  that while ICT is widely used for academic purposes, its use  is only limited in the management and administration of  higher education. Further studies are needed to identify  and suggest means to mitigate the challenges faced by the  Indian HEIs towards extensive adoption of ICT. This research will involve conducting, analysing and comparing  the results of the in-depth interviews with the  administrative heads of concerned institutions. Assessment will also be done through a questionnaire on the integration of ICT in achieving the mission and vision of the  HEIs in both private and public universities. The expected  results are that private institutions have embarked on  technology with greater success and benefits. The study will  then recommend steps to profitably use available  technologies to improve performance, to enhance the  quality of their students and to facilitate all stakeholders.  The outcome of the research will provide insight into the  institutions themselves and the policymakers in the field of  education in India on the critical success factors of ICT  governance and define a course to develop technology- enabled smart universities.