Stricter norms for opening deemed varsities

The Centre has tightened norms for establishment and functioning of the deemed-to-be universities to ensure that they maintain their teaching quality and standards.

The University Grants Commission, however, lifted restrictions on nomination of the founder of such universities or his or relatives as the institution’s chancellor provided that they would not be made members of the board of management.

“They can now be nominated as chancellors of the universities for a period of five years. But they shall not be appointed chief executive officer of the varsity,” Higher Education Secretary Vinay Sheel Oberoi told DH. As per the revised regulations, those willing to set up a deemed university will have to submit a letter of intent declaring that all the prerequisites like construction of building, laboratory will be completed within three years.

They will also have to secure “A” grade certification from National Assessment and Accreditation Council in five years to retain the deemed-to-be university status. “Number of PhD scholars per supervisor now will be eight, six and four for Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor respectively. The number of M Phil scholars per supervisor will now be three, two and one for professor, associate professor and assistant professor  respectively,” Oberoi said. Only a full-time regular teacher of the concerned university college can act as a supervisor. However, co-supervisor can be allowed in inter-disciplinary areas, he added.

An institution will be eligible to become a deemed university if it has undergraduate and five post-graduate programmes with research in existence for three years, he said.

The revised regulations also have provisions for detachment (removal) of vice chancellors of these universities in cases of irregular appointment or financial or administrative irregularities and impropriety.

The government of India will have its nominee in the board of management of only those deemed universities which are either fully funded or partially funded to extend of 50%.