Background: why this record matters
Many education fraud cases involve private universities set up under state law. Knowing which national rules apply to them is the first step in judging whether a programme, campus or study centre was permitted.
This record is UGC's reply to an RTI dated 05.02.2026. The reply does not reproduce the six questions, so this page reports only UGC's answer.
| Document | UGC reply under RTI Act 2005 |
| Reference | F.No.1-1107/2026(RIA/(CPP-I/PU)/176404 |
| Date | February 2026 (stamped 23 Feb 2026) |
| Signed by | Lokesh Kumar Jangra, Under Secretary |
| Pages | 1 |
What the document says
UGC's answer covers questions 1 to 6 together. It states that private universities are regulated by the UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations, 2003, and that a copy of the Regulations and other information are available on the UGC website.
The reply names Col. Vipin Kaushal, Joint Secretary, UGC, as First Appellate Authority, and says an appeal can be made within thirty days of receiving the reply.
Other UGC replies in this library quote the same 2003 Regulations on specific points — for example, that a private university could not open centres without UGC approval.
Key findings
2003 Regulations govern private universities
UGC names the UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations, 2003 as the regulatory framework.
Single combined answer to six questions
All six questions were answered together by reference to the Regulations and the UGC website.
Reply within about two weeks of receipt
RTI dated 05.02.2026, received 12.02.2026; reply stamped 23 Feb 2026.
Appeal route named
Col. Vipin Kaushal, Joint Secretary, is First Appellate Authority; 30 days to appeal.
“The private universities are regulated by UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations, 2003.”
— University Grants Commission, RTI reply F.No.1-1107/2026(RIA/(CPP-I/PU)/176404
What employers and students should know
For employers and students, the practical point is where to look. The 2003 Regulations are the rulebook UGC itself points to for private universities. Before accepting a degree from a private university, check the university's status and any UGC notices about it on the UGC website.
This reply does not name or assess any university.
- Read the UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations, 2003 on ugc.gov.in.
- Check whether a private university is listed by UGC and whether any public notice concerns it.
- Verify individual degrees directly with the issuing university.
- If an RTI reply refers you to a website instead of answering, you may appeal to the First Appellate Authority within thirty days.
What this record shows:
- UGC's statement that private universities are regulated by the UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations, 2003.
- The dates of the RTI, its receipt and the reply, and the appeal route.
What it does not show:
- It does not show what questions 1 to 6 asked.
- It does not name any private university or make a finding about one.
- It does not reproduce the content of the 2003 Regulations.
Every statement on this page is drawn from the official document described above. Readers should rely on the original document and the issuing authority for any decision.