Question : DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITIES

(a) whether the Government has rejected the recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) on blacklisting of 34 deemed-to-be Universities and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) the action being instituted to ensure that the Universities meet UGC standards;

(c) whether the Government has not closed those universities which do not fulfil the laid down criteria;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(e) whether the Government has identified such deemed universities which fulfil the criteria but do not impart qualitative education and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a): The report of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in respect of 34 Deemed-to-be-Universities submitted to the Government on 22nd September, 2014 does not contain any specific advice / recommendations, regarding con- tinuation or discontinuation of the status of these Deemed-to-be-Universi- ties, based upon which the Central Government can form an informed opinion and take a Statutory decision/action under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.

(b): The Central Government has decided to first evolve a standardized cri- terion, by process of inviting inputs from the Expert Regulatory Bodies viz. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Board of Accre- ditation (NBA), National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and UGC, in order to evolve a transparent criterion for inspection and evaluation of the functioning of the Deemed to be Universities.

(c) & (d): In view of public perception regarding decreasing of standard in Deemed to be Universities, the Central Government had constituted a Committee (Tandon Committee) in the year 2009 for reviewing the functioning of existing Deemed-to-be-Universities. The Committee, in its report, concluded that 44 Deemed-to-be-Universities, which were placed in Category ‘C’, are not fit to continue as Deemed-to-be-Universities and thus recommended to withdraw their status. Government accepted the report of the Committee in principle. However, the issue related to Category ‘C’ Deemed-to-be-University is currently sub- judice in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the matter of Viplav Sharma Vs Union of India and Others [WP (C) No. 142 of 2006]. The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 25/01/2010 directed the Government to maintain status quo with regard to these Deemed-to-be-Universities.

(e): No, Madam.