(a) the rules/criteria adopted for granting the status of deemed-to-be-university in the country;
(b) whether the Government has prepared any policy to check the mushrooming of deemed- to-be-universities;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of the measures undertaken by the Government to stop harassment of students by these universities?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a): The proposals received for deemed-to-be-university status are examined by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as per the provisions contained in Clause 4.0 of the UGC (Institutions deemed-to-be-universities) Regulations, 2010. The details are available on the UGC’s website: www.ugc.ac.in
(b) & (c): Yes, Madam. To regulate, in an orderly manner, the process of declaration of institutions as deemed to be universities; preventing institutions of dubious quality from being so declared; and, further to maintain quality of higher education imparted by institutions deemed to be universities consistent with the ideals of the concept of a university; the University Grants Commission, notified UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2010. Only one institution has been declared as a deemed-to-be-university after the 2010 Regulations were notified.
(d): The UGC instructed deemed-to-be-Universities through a Public Notice dated 23.04. 2007, letter dated 07.06.2007 and letter dated 22.06.2011 not to retain original certificate and refund the entire fee in case student withdraws from the course. The UGC has also amended the UGC (Institutions deemed-to-be-Universities) Regulations, 2010 in 2014 wherein several measures have been taken to stop harassment of students by Deemed-to-be-Universities. According to these amended regulations the deemed-to-be- universities have to mandatorily publish a Prospectus before commencement of admission process indicating the details of the fee structure, the number of seats approved for each course, the age limit prescribed for candidates etc. The regulations prohibit such universities from publishing any advertisement inducing students for taking admission claiming to be recognized by appropriate authority where it is not so recognized. The UGC has also issued the UGC (Grievance Redressal) Regulations, 2012 which provide for redress of grievances including cases where money has been demanded in excess of what is specified in the declared admission policy or approved by the competent authority to be charged by institutions. The regulations provide for the resolution of grievances through ombudsmen.