JOIN USThe Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that it was considering laying down new criteria to grade universities across the country after consulting with all stakeholders, including the University Grants Commission (UGC).
“The Union of India has taken a decision that the proper criteria or guidelines should be laid down after consulting all the stakeholders so that the issue is settled once for all,” Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said.
According to his submission before a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Vikramjit Sen, regulatory bodies like UGC and All India Council for Technical Education would be consulted and the process would be complete within three months.
Meanwhile, the bench asked the Centre to apprise it of steps taken on the UGC report relating to inspection carried out in 41 deemed universities.
“The Centre is obliged to take a decision,” the bench said and allowed the counsel for deemed universities to respond to the government report after it is filed with the apex court registry.
Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, appearing for UGC, said it had inspected eight deemed universities. He said that of the eight, seven could be granted recognition for one more year despite certain deficiencies. Singh added that Gurukul Kangra Vishwavidyalay lacked teaching and infrastructural facilities.