Deemed Universities can start courses without getting UGC permission

The Hindu News

In a clarification sent out couple of days back, UGC has said that Deemed Universities can start any course they want (such as B.A., B.Sc., M.A., M.Sc. or M.Com.) without prior approval from UGC.

This is exactly the opposite of what they supposedly wrote to the Deemed Universities a few days back - wherein they had said Deemed Universities must give an "undertaking that no course will be started without its nod."

So let us recount what has happened over the last 10 days:

1. All Technical Institutions are under the control of AICTE.
2. But wait... once the Technical Institution becomes a Deemed University, that institution is not exactly under the control of AICTE, but rather under UGC.
3. So what can be done if the DU is found to be violating the AICTE norms? AICTE cannot take unilateral action. They can inspect DU's premises... but not on their own. They need UGC persons to accompany them. AICTE can find out what is wrong with the DU, but cannot act on their own. Must pass on the info to UGC and UGC will act on them.
4. UGC sends a letter to all DUs asking them to follow AICTE norms, and that they give an undertaking that they will not start any course on their own without getting UGC permission first.
5. Then very soon UGC sends another letter that supercedes all the earlier letters, allowing DUs to start whatever course (but non-technical) they want without getting UGC's permission.

Does it mean DUs can start whatever technical course they want without getting AICTE/UGC approval? No clarity.

What is the current status regarding the technical courses started by DUs without AICTE approval? No answer. In fact this was the major issue on which the students fought pitched street battles in a few DUs in Tamil Nadu.

How soon will AICTE and UGC undertake joint inspections of DUs as per the Chennai High Court Order? What will their action be if they find flagrant violation as in the case of Vinayaka Mission institutions? No clarity.

Why is UGC so pathetic? Can't they think clearly and then send out letters once and for all? Are they being pressured by DU lobby to let them off hook?

If Private Universities were considered an aberration and a whole bunch of them abolished by a Supreme Court order couple of years back, why are DUs, which for all practical purposes are Private Universities, being allowed to run unchecked?

All through this muddle Human Resource Development Ministry keeps mum.

How can we expect India to produce better engineers tomorrow?