UP Cabinet approves 3 new private universities; total count rises to 56

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on July 6 approved proposals for establishing three new private universities in the state. With this announcement, the total number of private universities have reached 56. It was decided in a Cabinet meeting that was chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his official residence in Lucknow.

Higher education minister of Yogendra Upadhyaya, while addressing a press conference said the proposals were approved under the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities Act, 2019, following the prescribed evaluation process.

The Cabinet has approved the issuance of Letters of Proposal (LoP) and operational authorisation to the sponsoring institutions. He said the move reflects the state government's commitment to expanding quality higher education and ensuring educational opportunities reach every section of society, in line with the Chief Minister's vision.

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Highlights of approved institutions

Following approvals, an agriculture-focused university will be established by the Swami Brahmanand Saraswati Charitable Trust, Delhi. For this, government has sanctioned over 51 acres of land at Gadanpur Ahar village in Kanpur Nagar district's Bilhaur tehsil. The university is in line with government's aim to promote agricultural education and research in the state. An ordinance to amend the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities Act will be promulgated for the purpose.

Indian Institute of Management and Engineering Society, Ghaziabad will establish the second university on over 26 acres of land at Dasna village in the Ghaziabad Development Authority area. The sponsoring society already runs medical and engineering colleges, and the proposed university is expected to expand higher education opportunities in the region.

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The sponsoring society, which already manages medical and engineering colleges, plans to expand its academic footprint through the proposed university.

Anglo Sanskrit College, Fatehpur will set up the third university on over 20 acres of land in Fatehpur Dakshini. The institution meets the prescribed land requirement for universities in urban areas, the minister said adding that the state has witnessed significant expansion in higher education since 2017.

Notably, the state had only 14 state universities until 2017, after which state government passed establishment order for eight new state universities. Upadhyaya added that the number of private universities, which stood at 27 in 2017, will rise to 56 after the establishment of the three newly approved institutions.

(With inputs from PTI)