UGC drafts new deemed to be universities regulations 2022; invites comments

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has drafted new 'University Grants Commission (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) regulations 2022'. The Commission has invited suggestions on the new draft. Students, teachers and other concerned can send their comments till November 18 through email ID – dtbu2022@gmail.com.

The Commission said that the country is going through major transformation with the advent of the National Education Policy (NEP) and it has reframed the regulations in tune with the broader policies of higher education with the help of an expert committee.

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“The University Grants Commission had notified University Grants Commission (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2019 in the Gazette of India on 20th February, 2019. These regulations were notified to regulate, in an orderly manner, the process of declaration of institutions of academic excellence as deemed to be universities; and further, to maintain quality of higher education imparted by institutions deemed to be universities consistent with the ideals of the concept of a university,” read an official statement from UGC.

Salient features of DTBU regulations

According to UGC regulations, the governance structure of deemed universities will be similar to central universities. Multi-disciplinary institutions with minimum 5 departments or a cluster of institutions offering a minimum of 5 departments located in the same city or town will be eligible to apply for deemed university status.

The eligibility criteria will be NAAC ‘A’ grade with at least a 3.01 CGPA for three consecutive cycles or NBA accreditation for two third of eligible programmes for three consecutive cycles or in top 50 of any specific category of NIRF for the last three years continuously or in top 100 of overall NIRF Ranking for last three years continuously.

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“Deemed to be Universities with NAAC less than ‘A’ grade or ranked more than 100 in current NIRF ranking (Universities category) shall be monitored on the academic parameters by UGC Expert Committee. Failing to rectify the deficiencies pointed out by UGC Committee, UGC may recommend withdrawal of status,” it added.

The admissions to the deemed universities will be based on merit or entrance exam conducted by a government authority or the university itself. The fee will be fixed transparently and the Deemed to be University may provide fee concession/scholarships or may allocate some seats to meritorious students belonging to socially and economically deprived groups of the society.

These universities will have to implement the reservation policy and can offer online and distance courses. The government or UGC may conduct inspections and if found violating, the deemed to be universities will have to pay a penalty.