Page 67 - Compendium of UGC Regulations 1957-2023

Regulations on Establishment, Maintenance and Recognition of Institutions:

University Grants Commission
(Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities)

Regulations, 2003.

Background

(i) Setting up of private universities through State Acts is a recent phenomenon. An effective
regulatory mechanism is required for the maintenance of standards of teaching, research,
examination and extension services in these private universities.

(ii) An effective mechanism for regulating the functioning of existing State Universities recognized
by the University Grants Commission under section 2(f) and 12B of the UGC Act, 1956 is
already in place. In almost all the States, the Governor of the State is the ex-officio Chancellor
of the universities in that particular State. Besides, all the recognized State Universities under
the purview of the UGC are receiving grants from the UGC and are obligated to follow the
statutory regulations made under the UGC Act, which inter-alia include regulations defining
the minimum qualifications that should be possessed by any person to be appointed to the
teaching staff of the universities; regulations defining the minimum standards of instruction
for the grant of a degree by a university, etc.
(iii) Under Section 3 of the UGC Act deemed to be university status is granted by the Central
Government to those educational institutions of repute, which fulfill the prescribed standards
and comply with various requirements laid down by the UGC.
(iv) For private universities belonging to a separate category altogether, a suitable regulatory
mechanism is essential by way of laying down the conditions specifically for the establishment
and operation of such universities for safeguarding the interests of the student community
with adequate emphasis on the quality of education and to avoid commercialization of higher
education, etc.
(v) Accordingly, in exercise of the powers conferred by clauses (f) & (g) of sub- section (1)
of Section 26 of the UGC Act, 1956, the UGC hereby makes the following Regulations,
namely:-

1. Short title, application and commencement
1.1. These regulations may be called the University Grants Commission (Establishment of
and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations, 2003.

1.2. These shall apply to every private university established by or incorporated under a
State Act, before or after the commencement of these regulations.
1.3. These shall apply to all the degrees/diplomas/certificates (including those offered in
India in collaboration with foreign universities) offered under formal, non-formal or
distance education mode by the private university.
1.4. These shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Gazette of India.

1.5. Any private university, which has started functioning before commencement of these
Regulations, shall ensure adherence to these Regulations within a period of 3 months
from the notification of these Regulations and confirm the compliance to the UGC.
Failure to comply with this requirement, shall render any degree/diploma awarded by
a private university as unspecified in terms of Section 22(3) of the UGC Act and shall
invite penalty under Section 24 of the UGC Act.

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UGC Regulations