Deemed Private Universities Now to Get Six Off-Centre Campuses

The UGC has recently made it clear that the deemed private universities can have up to six off-centre campuses. The commission recently had issued notice to 10 deemed universities for having off-centre campuses without proper clearance. The list included prestigious names such as Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, whom the UGC issued its notice. Though this regulation of six off-centre campuses will not be applicable for the government established or managed deemed universities in India.

However the sources in HRD Ministry has made it clear that allowing six off-centre campuses to the deemed universities will not change the notice served to the ten deemed universities. According to an official, “Having off-campuses does not mean UGC and HRD ministry clearance is not needed. Fact remains that these 10 violated the existing UGC regulations.” Prestigious institute like BITS, Pilani has also received the notice for making an off-campus in Goa and Hyderabad without prior permission.

The case of UGC has diluted due to the fact that Bhubaneswar-based National institute of Science Education and Research off- campus centre of Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai has been approved by the HRD ministry. According a senior UGC official “This has weakened UGC’s case against 10 deemed universities. Eventually all will get clearance.”

In the month of November UGC had sent notices to institutes like Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies University, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Indian School of Mines, Dhandbad, Banasthali University, Rajasthan, Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Uttar Pradesh, Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education, Gwalior, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Homi Bhabha National Institute.