HRD Ministry approves UGC proposal allowing govt run deemed varsities have more than six campus

New Delhi: The Union HRD ministry has approved a UGC proposal which allows government run deemed Universities to have more than six off-campus centres.

The move will benefit institutions like the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, which runs several off-campus centres.

Private deemed Universities, however would be permitted only a maximum of six campuses beyond approved geographical boundaries, HRD ministry officials said.

Several leading institutions including the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, Banasthali University (Rajasthan), Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBMI), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research are learnt to have been issued notices by the UGC over over issues related to their off-campus centres.

In another key development, the ministry has also approved a UGC proposal laying the criteria for appointment of Vice Chancellors.

Now a candidate to be appointed a Vice Chancellor of a deemed University should have a minimum ten years of experience as professor in University system or ten years of equivalent experience in a reputed research or academic organisation.

The details for composition of search and selection committees for selection have also been finalised.

"The Commission (UGC) had in a recent meeting approved these amendments in the UGC regulations for deemed institutions which have found concurrence of the ministry," a senior HRD ministry official said.