HRD Seeks SC’s Clarification to Close Deemed Universities

In a move to act upon the Tandon committee report suggesting the closure of 44 deemed universities, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has sought the order of Supreme Court to confirm closing down those universities that was found to be of poor quality.

Tandon Committee

During the UPA regime the then HRD Minister Kapil Sibal had sought Tandon Committee report to check the quality of education in deemed universities.

Aspects of governance, quality of innovations in teaching and learning processes, research output and its impact, doctoral and other research degree programmes, faculty resources and the admission processes are the nine parameters used by Tandon Committee to test the quality of education in deemed universities.

Out of 126 institutions 44 were allegedly unfit for running. Out of the 44, some of them had challenged the report and few universities applied for Institute of National Importance status. After the move, 38 universities were under review and few of them are now under probation and are under the risk of being shut down.

Invalid certificates of few deemed universities

The National Assesment and Accreditation Council however after a review of the 38 universities said that 17 of them had achieved A category status.

The issue stirred after the Supreme Court closed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) recently. It was filed by advocate Viplav Sharma seeking SC's intervention in the functioning of deemed universities that were of low standards in education.

Now, it is up to the HRD and UGC to carry out the further course of action in acting upon the committee's report. HRD is also acting cautiously on the issue seeking clarification from the Law Ministry on the Supreme Court's order and then decide on what has to be done next.

List of Top Deemed Universities in India