Regulation issued by the UGC for the maintenance of standard of higher education in the Country

On November 25, 2014, UGC issued Regulations with an aim to regulate the establishments and maintenance of standards in private universities. The Regulation states that any private university (established before/ after the commencement of these regulations) shall ensure adherence to these regulations. The Regulation provides that the directions of the UGC for the management, academic improvement and development of a private university shall be binding, and in case the university does not adhere to the directions/ policy of the UGC, the university may be instructed by the UGC to close down. The admission procedure and fixation of fees shall be in accordance with the norms/ guidelines prescribed by the UGC and other concerned statutory authorities. The Regulation further provides that a private university established under a State Act shall operate only within the territorial jurisdiction of the State concerned, however the University may be permitted to open off-campus centres, off-shore campuses and study centres after 5 years of its coming into existence only on the prior approval of the UGC and the State Government where its centre is proposed to be open. The Regulation also provides for the periodic inspection of the private university and its off-campus centre or off-shore campuses etc by the UGC, and states that if a university is not functioning in conformity with the UGC Regulations the Commission may pass an order prohibiting the private university from offering any course for the award of the degree/diploma, till the deficiency is rectified or shall impose a penalty under Section 24 of the UGC Act.