UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023

June 3, 2023

The Centre has recently released the UGC (Institutions deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023, bringing about significant changes in the eligibility criteria for institutions aspiring to be deemed universities. These revised guidelines aim to establish more quality-focused deemed universities in the country.

Simplification of Eligibility Criteria

The new guidelines replace the previous 2019 guidelines and align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. One of the major changes is the simplification of eligibility criteria, which now emphasizes multi-disciplinarity, NAAC grading, NIRF ranking, and NBA grading. Institutions that meet specific requirements in these areas can apply for deemed university status.

New Eligibility Criteria

As per the updated guidelines, a multi-disciplinary institution is eligible to seek deemed status when it possesses valid NAAC accreditation with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of no less than 3.01 for three consecutive cycles. Furthermore, NBA accreditation must be obtained for two-thirds of eligible programs over the same three consecutive cycles, or the institution must consistently rank within the top 50 in any specific category of NIRF for the past three years.

Inclusion of Cluster Institutions

The guidelines also allow a cluster of institutions managed by multiple sponsoring bodies or societies to apply for deemed university status. This provision enables collaboration and collective efforts in establishing quality-focused institutions.

Increased Faculty Strength and Corpus Fund Requirement

The revised guidelines raise the faculty strength requirement from 100 to 150, ensuring a strong academic base for deemed universities. In the case of private institutions, the corpus fund requirement has been increased from ₹10 crore to ₹25 crore, promoting financial stability and sustainability.

Registration on the Academic Bank of Credits

To promote academic flexibility and student mobility, the revised guidelines make it mandatory for deemed universities to register on the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC). This registration enables institutions to offer twinning programs, joint degree programs, and dual degree programs, aligning with the regulations concerned.

Setting up Off-campus Centers

Deemed universities meeting specific criteria, such as minimum ‘A’ grade or being ranked from 1 to 100 in the “Universities” category of NIRF rankings, are eligible to establish off-campus centers. This provision enables deemed universities to extend their reach and impact, catering to the diverse educational needs of different regions.

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