UGC revises guidelines for deemed universities; key features

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has reframed the regulations for deemed to be universities to make them in tune with the broader policies of higher education as contained in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The new University Grants Commission (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2019 regulations are drafted 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, the UGC said.

According to the revised regulations, “Multi-disciplinary Institutions with minimum 5 Departments (either UG/PG/Integrated/Research or a combination of these) or a Cluster of Institutions offering a minimum of 5 Departments (either UG/PG/Integrated/Research or a combination of these) located in the same city/town will be eligible to apply for Deemed University status.”

Institutions which have been awarded 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 will also be eligible for the deemed to university status.

Higher educational institution in top 50 of any specific category of National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), released by the ministry of education, for the last three years continuously or in top 100 of overall NIRF Ranking for last three years continuously will also be eligible.

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“De Novo” category has now been replaced with the “Distinct institution” category. Distinct institution means an existing institution or an institution starting from the beginning with the focus on teaching and/or research in unique disciplines.

UGC to grant approval for off-campus centre

NAAC with minimum ‘A’ grade and above or ranked from 1-100 in the "Universities" category of current NIRF ranking will be eligible to open off-campus centres, as per the revised regulations.

Approval for off-campus centres will be granted by the UGC now. Earlier, this approval was given by the ministry of education (MoE).

“Admissions to such institutions will be done based on merit in the entrance exam conducted by a Government Testing Agency or the Deemed to be University and as prescribed by the appropriate statutory authority.”

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It further said that the fee has to be fixed transparently keeping in view non-profiteering/ non-commercial aspects and concession and/or scholarships should be given to meritorious students belonging to socially and economically deprived groups of the society.

UGC has also invited feedback on draft University Grants Commission (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) regulations 2022 from students, teachers and others. Suggestions on the drafts can be sent till November 18 through email ID – dtbu2022@gmail.com.