Ugc

Illinois Tech first US varsity to get UGC approval, to open Mumbai campus

Illinois Institute of Technology became the first US university to get UGC approval to set up a degree-granting campus in India. The Mumbai campus will open in 2026, offering STEM & business courses

SC notice to education ministry on plea seeking fair grading by NAAC

The Supreme Court has sought response from the Union education ministry and others on a plea seeking measures to ensure fair and transparent grading by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council of Higher Education Institutions. A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the ministry, the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the NAAC on a plea filed by NGO Bistro Destino Foundation. The NAAC, set up in 1994, is an autonomous body under the UGC that grades colleges and universities on parameters such as curriculum, faculty, infrastructure, research and financial well-being. "We wish to go deep into the matter and know how NAAC is functioning issue notice. Liberty to file additional documents," the bench said in its April 9 order. The plea has raised concerns of transparency and fairness in the process of assessment and grading of higher educational institutions conducted by the NAAC. The petition stated that under the present system of functioni

UGC notifies rules for recognition of foreign degrees, aims to cut delays

The Commission has put in place a transparent, technology-driven mechanism to assess foreign qualifications from schools and higher education institutions

Over 50 foreign varsities applied to UGC for approval: Pradhan in RS

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that three foreign universities are currently operating in the country and the University Grants Commission (UGC) is likely to grant approval to 50 qualitative foreign varsities in the coming times in the interest of students. Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, the minister said the University Act, 1956 says that UGC can amend its rules going by the needs of the time. "Around 14-15 lakh students of the country study abroad and a lot of our resources go into foreign land. Keeping that in view and to develop higher research within the country, it would be proper to bring in foreign universities. With this in mind, UGC has amended its rules," Pradhan told the Rajya Sabha. He said not two but three foreign universities are operating in India currently. Over 50 qualitative foreign universities are in talks with different state governments and have reached the UGC for permission, he added. "In the

UGC draft regulations aimed at sidelining states from higher ed: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that the draft UGC regulations of 2025 not only diminish the role of state governments in higher education, but in reality sideline them. The CM said that under the draft regulations, the states have no role in appointment of vice chancellors (VCs) and assistant professors in state-established universities and termed them as "undemocratic and excessive". He was speaking after inaugurating a National Convention here on the draft University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations of 2025 which was attended by ministers from the neighbouring states of Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He said that powers for appointing VCs have been given to Chancellors, who are the Governors appointed by the Centre, and therefore there was scope for politically motivated selections which would be harmful for the higher education sector in the country. He claimed that "gubernatorial excesses" were experienced by many opposition-ruled states, ...

Draft UGC regulations for VCs selection 'anti-constitutional': Mahua Moitra

TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Tuesday termed as "anti-constitutional" the draft UGC regulations for selection of vice chancellors in Central and state universities. Demanding a rollback of the criteria of the search-and-selection committee of vice chancellors of state-aided universities, Moitra said during Zero Hour that there is no state-government representative in the committee even though states pay completely for the state-run universities. The draft UGC regulation, 2025, which seeks to replace the UGC regulation 2018, is "over-centralised, anti-constitutional and anti-federal", Moitra said. According to the draft regulations, industry experts, as well as senior professionals from public administration, public policy and public sector undertakings, might soon be eligible for appointment as vice chancellors. The draft norms have also given power to chancellors or visitors to constitute the three-member search-cum-selection committee to appoint vice chancellors. The new guidelines wil

Draft UGC norms empower universities in faculty selection, says Pradhan

In a written response to a parliamentary question, Pradhan stated that the draft regulations aim to foster innovation, inclusivity, flexibility, and dynamism in higher education

Attempt to push RSS agenda: Rahul slams govt over draft UGC regulations

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged the UGC's draft regulations on the appointment of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges was an attempt to push the agenda of the RSS that aimed to achieve its idea of imposing "one history, one tradition, one language" on the country. Speaking at a protest against the draft University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations organised by the DMK here, the opposition leader in the Lok Sabha said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) aim was the eradication of all other histories, cultures and traditions of the country. "That is its starting point and that is what it wants to achieve. It attacks the Constitution because it wants to achieve one idea which is its idea -- one history, one tradition, one language -- on this country," the former Congress chief said. "This attempt that it is doing with the education system of different states is just another attempt to push its agenda," Gandhi said. "Each state has its ...

6 states adopt resolution seeking withdrawal of draft UGC regulations 2025

Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka adopted the 15-point resolution at the conclave of State Higher Education Ministers-2025

CUET UG 2025 exam Updates: New rules, revised exam format and other details

CUET UG 2025 exam Updates: A panel of experts constituted by UGC suggested some changes in the CUET 2025 examination. Here's all you need to know

All views will be considered before final UGC guidelines come: Kerala Guv

Downplaying the Kerala government's criticism and opposition to the draft UGC guidelines, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday said everyone's views will be considered before a final version is released. Arlekar also said that India being a democracy, "everybody has the right to say anything over anything in this country and there was nothing wrong with it". The Kerala assembly had on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution urging the central government to withdraw the draft UGC guidelines and issue a revised version. Arlekar said that all the views about the UGC draft guidelines should go to the proper person or proper platform" and they will discuss it. "It is still a draft, not the final version. So, considering everybody's different views, they will come out with the final document," the Governor told reporters here after he called on former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan at his residence. Arlekar inquired Achuthanandan's family members about his health. He said

Kerala Assembly passes resolution seeking withdrawal of UGC guidelines 2025

The Kerala assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution urging the central government to withdraw the draft UGC guidelines and issue a revised version. The resolution was moved in the House by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who said that the assembly was of the clear opinion that the draft UGC norms do not reflect the spirit of the Constitution. The CM said that universities in the various states function according to the laws passed by the respective state legislatures as they have the power to establish and supervise the universities. The central government only has the power to coordinate and fix standards for higher education and research institutions, he said. By ignoring these facts and without holding discussions with all the stakeholders, the Centre issued the draft guidelines which completely exclude the opinions of the state governments, including on the appointment of Vice Chancellors, and therefore, they are "incompatible with the federal system and democracy",

UGC NET 2024: December exam reschedule dates announced, check details

The National Testing Agency has announced the revised schedule for the UGC-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) December 2024 exam. The January 15 exam will now be conducted on January 21 and 27

Draconian, anti-Constitution: Cong on UGC draft rules for V-C appointments

The Congress on Tuesday termed the draft UGC regulations for appointment of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges "draconian and anti-Constitution", and demanded that those be withdrawn immediately. Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said the University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently published the draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025. "Among its many disastrous ideas include the following -- Removal of the 10 per cent ceiling on contractual professorships, opening the gates for the large-scale contractualisation of teaching in higher education. This is going to destroy the quality of our institutions and the spirit of academic independence," he said in a post on X. The former Union minister claimed that the draft rules also propose withdrawal of all powers of the sta

Congress selling lies about UGC hiring norms: Education Minister Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Monday attacked the Congress, accusing it of "selling lies" about the draft recruitment norms rolled out by the UGC and said the practice of governors appointing university vice-chancellors has been going on even before Independence. The University Grants Commission (UGC) released the draft regulations last week, proposing a major overhaul in the recruitment of assistant professors and vice-chancellors. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had alleged that the UGC draft regulations, 2025, give state governors extensive control over vice-chancellor appointments and allow non-academics to hold these posts and termed it a "direct attack on federalism and state rights". According to the draft regulations, industry experts, as well as senior professionals from public administration, public policy and public sector undertakings, might soon be eligible for appointment as vice-chancellors. The draft norms have also given power to chancellors or .

Draft regulations on appointing V-Cs an assault on federalism: TN CM Stalin

The University Grants Commission's draft regulations 2025 granting Governors broader control over Vice Chancellor appointments and allowing non-academics to hold these posts were a direct assault on federalism and state rights, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Tuesday. This 'authoritarian' move by the Union BJP government sought to centralise power and undermine democratically elected state governments, he commented on the draft UGC regulations, 2025, released by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the national capital on January 6. The regulations prescribe minimum qualifications for appointments and promotion of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for maintenance of standards in higher education. At the event, Pradhan said that these draft reforms and guidelines would infuse innovation, inclusivity, flexibility, and dynamism in every aspect of higher education, empower teachers and academic staff, strengthen academic ...

UGC proposes major overhaul in recruitment of Assistant Professors, V-Cs

Industry experts as well as senior professionals from public administration, public policy and public sector undertakings might soon be eligible for appointment as Vice Chancellors, according to draft norms by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The new guidelines will also amend the norms for hiring faculty members in universities allowing people having a postgraduate degrees in Master of Engineering (M.E) and Masters of Technology (MTech), with at least 55 pc marks, to directly get recruited to the Assistant Professor level without qualifying for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (NET). The draft norms will also permit candidates to teach based on their highest academic specialisation. For example, a candidate with a PhD in chemistry, a bachelor's in mathematics and a master's in physics, would now qualify to teach chemistry. Similarly, individuals who clear the National Eligibility Test in a subject different from their earlier academic focus can tea

UGC NET 2024: Admit Card to be released shortly for Jan 9, 10 and 15 exams

The NTA will soon announce the UGC NET exams admit cards, scheduled for January 9, 10, and 15, 2025. Admit cards for the exams on Jan 3, 6, 7, and 8 are already made at official website

News updates: Facebook, Instagram down for thousands of users

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Subjects reduced to 37 from 63: UGC Chairman on changes in CUET 2025

He said 20 language subjects have been discontinued and admissions to the dropped subjects can be done based on General Aptitude Test (GAT) scores