UGC issues modalities for private universities to set up off-campus centres

A one-time processing fee of Rs 10 lakh will be charged for establishing off-campus centres from the state private university and further enhancement in the processing fee shall be decided by the UGC from time to time.

The University Grant Commission (UGC) has announced the modalities for state private universities to set up off-campus centres with the regulator and state government’s approval.

Under the (Establishment and Maintenance of Standards in Private

Universities) Regulations, 2003, the UGC in its 577th Meeting held on February 13, 2024 approved the modalities to consider the proposals of state-private universities to set up their off-campus centre within the jurisdiction of their respective states.

The universities may submit their proposals for consideration of UGC and should meet various criteria including that there is a provision for opening off-campus centres in the respective State University Act; have completed at least five years after commencement of its academic activities or programmes at its main campus; should have ownership title of the land (free of any encumbrances) or lease for at least 30 years for the establishment of the proposed off-campus centre.

Among other important parameters, universities applying for off-campus centres may also apply for establishing an off-campus centre by taking over any affiliated college being run under the same sponsoring society or trust or company by progressively closing the affiliated college provided a no objection certificate from the affiliating university shall accompany the application.

Further, a one-time processing fee of Rs 10 lakh will be charged for establishing off-campus centres from the state private university and further enhancement in the processing fee shall be decided by the UGC from time to time.

The proposal for off-campus centres received from the state private universities shall be placed for consideration before the Standing Committee already constituted for considering the proposal for approval of 12 B Status and accepting compliance towards the fulfilment of criterion under Section 13 of the UGC Act, 1956.