The university Grants Commission (UGC) has issued formal notices to 54 state private universities across India. The reason? They failed to submit mandatory data under Section 13 of the UGC Act, 1956, and/or they did not upload required “public self‑disclosure” information on their official websites.
📜 What Are These “Public Self‑Disclosure” Guidelines?
Back in June 2024, UGC rolled out the Public Self‑Disclosure Guidelines for Higher education Institutions. These require that universities:
· Maintain a functional, up‑to‑date website
· Display key institutional information (courses, faculty, infrastructure, finances, governance, etc.)
· Make it accessible to the public without login or registration
· Include a search facility so users can find info easily
· Also submit the same certified information to UGC in a prescribed format under Section 13 of the UGC Act
🕰️ Repeated Reminders, But Little Action
Before going public, UGC says it sent multiple reminders via emails and virtual meetings to the defaulting universities to comply. Despite that, many institutions lagged behind.
📍 States With Most Institutions in Default
Here’s a breakdown of where these 54 universities are located:
State
Number of Defaulting Universities
Notes / Examples
Madhya Pradesh
10
Highest among states
Gujarat
8
Institutions like Gandhinagar Univ, KN Univ, TransStadia among them
Sikkim
5
All five private universities in sikkim named as defaulters
Uttarakhand
4
Four universities from this state listed
Others (Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal)
Remaining
Spread across many states
Some well-known names are also part of the list, such as Amity University, Azim Premji University, and Dr. D.Y. Patil Dnyan prasad University.
⚖️ What UGC Is Demanding — And What’s at Stake
✅ What They Want
1. Immediate submission of the required data in the format prescribed, with supporting documents attested by the Registrar.
2. Uploading the same content (filled format + appendices) on the university’s website via a visible link on the homepage.
3. Ensuring public access—no login/registration required and with a search function.
⚠️ Possible Consequences
· The UGC has warned that further action will follow for non-compliance.
· These measures could include inspections, sanctions, or restricting new admissions.
· Publicly tagging them as “defaulters” can harm reputation and trust among students and stakeholders.
🧩 Why This Matters — Especially to students & Parents
· Informed choices: With full transparency, students can evaluate universities based on real data (faculty, infrastructure, finances).
· Accountability boost: Universities are pushed to maintain standards if they know information is under scrutiny.
· Prevents misinformation: Lack of disclosure allows them to exaggerate claims without verification.
· Trust in the system: A transparent higher education system increases public confidence.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.
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