UGC reframes ‘deemed to be university’ draft regulations, in line with NEP 2020

Further, math universities will be allowed to open campuses abroad with admissions based on examinations conducted by government agencies.

UGC Chairperson M Jagdesh Kumar said, “The UGC has restructured the institutions deemed to be Universities Regulations, 2019 in line with the broad principles of higher education contained in the NEP 2020.”

He also added that these regulations were notified to orderly, the process of recognizing institutions of academic excellence as universities and to maintain the standard of higher education imparted by these institutions.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) made the draft public on Friday and invited comments on it.

The most notable aspects of these amended regulations are that they will “apply the principle of reservation in admission/recruitment, in accordance with the Constitution of India and Acts of Parliament in force” and “fix fees transparently keeping in mind the non-profit/non-commercial aspect.” They may “offer fee concessions/scholarships or allot some seats to meritorious students from socially and economically deprived groups of the society.”

As per UGC regulations, these universities are also allowed to offer online or distance learning courses.

The new regulation also states that the UGC can recommend withdrawal of status to universities if deficiencies are not rectified, such as universities ranked below grade “A” or above 100 by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. University category of current NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) rankings.

To be considered as potential universities, the regulations further mandated that “in the case of institutions not funded by the Government, a corpus fund ₹25 crores or as decided by the Commission from time to time, shall be created and maintained in the name of the institution.”

(with input from PTI)