The University Grants Commission (UGC) has declared 54 private universities across the country as ‘defaulters’. This action has been taken by these universities for not submitting compulsory information under Section 13 of the UGC Act, 1956 and not releasing public information on their official website. The UGC has released a detailed list of defaulters or defaulting universities, warning them to take corrective steps immediately. The Commission has said that these universities have failed to meet the basic standards of transparency and compliance, which is hindering the students and the general public to reach the necessary information.
Status of defaulter universities in states
According to the list released by the UGC, this problem is spread in various states, but the number of defaulters in some states is quite high:
This university of MP included in the defaulter list
Azim Premji University, Madhya Pradesh Aryavart University, Sehore Dr. Preeti Global University, Shivpuri Gyanveer University, Sagar JNCT Professional University, Bhopal LNCT Vidyapeeth University, Indore Mahakaushal University, Jabalpur Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vaidic University, Jabalpur Mansarovar Global University, Sehore Shubham University, Bhopal
Eight universities of Gujarat
Gandhinagar University JG University KN University MK University Plastindia International University Surendranagar University Team Lease Skills University Transustedia University
Five university list of Sikkim
Meritorious Skills University Sikkim Alpine University Sikkim Global Technical University Sikkim International University Sikkim Skill University
Four universities of Uttarakhand
Maya Devi University Mind Power University Mrs. Manjira Devi University Surajmal University
Apart from these major states, many private universities from other states are also included in this list.
The basis of the action of the instructions was ignored by the instructions
UGC Secretary Manish Joshi said that before declaring the defaulter, the Commission had sent several reminders to universities through emails and online meetings. These universities were instructed to submit the following information for inspection:
Detailed information presentation: To present detailed information in the format and appendages set by UGC.
Certified Documents: To submit all assistant documents by certifying the university registrar correctly.
Upload on the website: To upload the filled formats and appendages on your home page, so that the information can be accessible to the students and the general public.
According to the guidelines, higher education institutions have to maintain a functional website to provide necessary information (such as curriculum, fees, faculty details etc.) to stakeholders. These 54 universities did not fulfill this compulsory compliance despite repeated reminders.
This action of the UGC will increase the pressure on private universities to strictly follow regulatory criteria. The Commission has clarified that such an omission will not be tolerated to maintain quality and transparency in the higher education sector. Universities included in the defaulter list will now have to take immediate steps to maintain students’s trust.
