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UGC Lets Deemed Private Universities Have 6 Off-Centre Campuses


New Delhi:
Barely three months after the University Grants Commission (UGC) issued notice to 10 deemed universities, including prestigious ones like the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, for having off-centre campuses without clearance, it has amended its regulation allowing private deemed universities to have six off-campuses. In case of government-established and managed deemed universities, the UGC's ceiling of six off-campuses will not apply.

 

However, HRD ministry sources said allowing six offcampuses does not change the nature of the UGC notice to the 10 deemed universities. "Having off-campuses does not mean UGC and HRD ministry clearance is not needed. Fact remains that these 10 violated the existing UGC regulations," said an official. BITS, Pilani that received notice for having off-campus in Goa and Hyderabad has moved Delhi HC against UGC.

 

UGC's case against these universities has further diluted after it approved the existence of Bhubaneshwar-based National Institute of Science Education & Research, off-campus centre of Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai. "This has weakened UGC's case against 10 deemed universities. Eventually all will get clearance," said a senior UGC official, who admitted that the HRD ministry was taken by surprise when the notices were sent.

 

In November, notices were sent to Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies University; Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani; Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra; Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad; Banasthali University, Rajasthan; Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu; Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) Uttar Pradesh; Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Homi Bhabha National Institute.

Posted on 10 Feb 2016