Supreme Court to examine work of private varsities, seeks details from UGC, state govts

The SC will hear the matter next on January 8, 2026.

The court said it “would like to have details from the Government(s) as to the background/circumstances and under which provisions of law all private/non-governm-ent/deemed-to-be Universities came into being and further, what benefits the Government has granted to them, including the stipulations and conditions under which such benefits, both in terms of allotment of land, preferential treatment of any kind and/or other ancillary benefits conferred upon them.”

It also asked the governments to furnish details of decision-making bodies, their composition and mode of selection to such bodies which run the institutions. “Full details of the concerned personnel connected with the establishment/management of such Universities shall be placed on record,” the court said.

The bench also asked UGC “to disclose its role vis-à-vis such institutions on oath” and made it clear that “the affidavit by the UGC shall cover what the statute/policy mandates as also the actual mechanism to monitor/oversee compliance by the institutions”. The affidavit should have details of admission process, recruitment of academic staff adopted by such universities, and the regulatory checks in place to ensure that the terms and conditions are duly adhered to, the court said.

“The affidavits”, the court said, shall also state “(a) Whether such institutions, or at least those of them that claim to, are functioning on the stated/advertised ‘no profit, no loss’ basis? How and under what authority have the Government(s) enforced this and ensured no diversion of monies towards anything unconnected with the educational institution, including salaries/expenses towards founders/family members and assets acquired by them? (b) Grievance redressal mechanisms in place, both for students as also faculty/staff?” and “(c) Whether such institutions are paying the minimum salaries to faculty and staff, as mandated by law?”

The court directed its Registry to add the Centre through the Cabinet Secretary, and all the States and Union Territories, including the National Capital Territory of Delhi, through their Chief Secretaries, and the UGC through its Chairman, as parties to the writ petition.