Document Details
| Document Type | RTI Act 2005 — Official Information Reply, University Grants Commission |
| UGC RTI Ref. No. | F.No.1-1086/2026(RIA/(CPP-I/PU)/176179 |
| RTI Application Date | 28 January 2026 (received in UGC section on 06 February 2026) |
| Reply Date | 26 February 2026 |
| Issuing Authority | University Grants Commission, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002 |
| Applicant | Kamesh |
| Subject | Information under Right to Information Act, 2005 regarding EIILM University, Sikkim |
Key Findings — All From UGC's Official Reply
Finding 1 — University Dissolved by Sikkim Cabinet, April 2015
The State Government of Sikkim accorded approval for the dissolution of EIILM University in its cabinet meeting held on 28 April 2015. Under Section 48 of EIILM University Act 2006, the Government appointed interim management to conduct the university's affairs till completion of dissolution.
Finding 2 — VC, Registrar & Controller of Examinations Were Absconding
When the UGC Fact-Finding Committee visited EIILM University from 27–29 April 2015, the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Controller of Examination, and Director of Distance Education Programmes were all absconding, as confirmed by State Government officials present during the visit.
Finding 3 — DEC Recognition Expired After 2009–10
The Distance Education Council (DEC) accorded course-wise recognition for one academic year only — 2009–10 — for three specific programmes. This recognition was never extended beyond 2009–10. The university was therefore not authorized to conduct any distance education programmes after 2009–10.
Finding 4 — Not Permitted to Open Study Centres Outside Sikkim
EIILM was not authorized to open study centres or off-campus centres beyond the territorial jurisdiction of Sikkim, as per the Prof. Yashpal vs. State of Chhattisgarh Supreme Court judgment. UGC never granted any permission/approval to EIILM to establish any off-campus, study centre, or off-shore centre.
Finding 5 — Nationwide Complaints Received by UGC
UGC received complaints from individuals across the country against EIILM regarding fake degrees, unauthorized study centres, selling degrees without conducting exams, franchising of higher education, misleading information on its website, and even establishing an off-shore campus at Mauritius.
Approved Programmes — What Was Valid vs. Invalid
DEC accorded recognition for the 2009–10 academic year only, for these three programmes, within Sikkim's territorial jurisdiction only:
| Programme | Valid Period | Valid Geography | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A. (Hospitality & Tourism) | 2009–10 only | Within Sikkim only | LIMITED VALIDITY |
| Bachelors in Computer Applications (BCA) | 2009–10 only | Within Sikkim only | LIMITED VALIDITY |
| Master's in Business Administration (MBA) | 2009–10 only | Within Sikkim only | LIMITED VALIDITY |
| All other programmes / disciplines | — | — | NOT VALID |
| Any programme beyond 2009–10 | — | — | NOT VALID |
| Any programme outside Sikkim | — | — | NOT VALID |
Complaints Received by UGC Against EIILM
UGC received nationwide complaints against EIILM University including:
- Running numerous programmes through distance mode without authorization
- Opening unauthorized study centres across the country
- Franchising of higher education — explicitly prohibited
- Issuing degrees to students without conducting any examinations or practicals
- Misleading students by providing wrong information on website
- Selling degrees by charging money instead of providing classes or conducting exams
- Conducting programmes through collaborative mode with industries/firms/companies
- Conducting courses abroad in one sitting
- Establishment of off-shore campus at Mauritius
UGC Fact-Finding Committee — Timeline & Recommendations
EIILM University Established
Established under Sikkim Act No. 4 of 2006, notified via Gazette Notification No. 195 dated 07.07.2006. Authorized only for regular mode on main campus.
One-Year DEC Recognition — 3 Programmes Only
DEC's Joint Committee of UGC-AICTE-DEC accorded course-wise recognition for one year only (2009–10) for BA (Hospitality), BCA, and MBA through distance mode within Sikkim only.
DEC Recognition Not Extended
Recognition was never extended beyond 2009–10. All distance programmes after this period were unauthorized. Nationwide complaints began flowing into UGC.
Fact-Finding Committee Visits — Officials Absconding
UGC Fact-Finding Committee visited 27–29 April 2015. VC, Registrar, Controller of Examinations, and Director of Distance Education Programmes were all absconding.
Sikkim Cabinet Approves Dissolution
Sikkim Cabinet formally approved dissolution of EIILM University. Interim management appointed under Section 48 of EIILM University Act 2006 to handle affairs till dissolution is complete.
UGC Responds to RTI by Kamesh
UGC officially confirmed all the above facts in response to RTI F.No.1-1086/2026 filed by Kamesh on 28 January 2026.
UGC Fact-Finding Committee Recommendations
Dissolution recommended — The Committee recommended dissolution of EIILM University under the relevant section of EIILM University Act. The Sikkim Government was already progressing in this direction.
Being a unitary university, EIILM had no mandate to affiliate any college/institute. UGC never granted any permission/approval to establish any off-campus, study centre, or off-shore centre.
State Government may take steps to protect the interests of unsuspecting students of EIILM residing in Sikkim who were admitted on regular basis.
Director (Higher Education), HRDD, Sikkim may validate degrees of 2009–10 only in three disciplines (BA Hospitality, BCA, MBA) for students admitted within Sikkim, based on admission records. Degrees in other disciplines and beyond 2009–10 shall not be valid.
A public notice may be issued by UGC for the general public advising not to take admission in EIILM University or any of its off-campus centres/study centres.
UGC may communicate with Ministry of Information and Technology for banning and blocking the EIILM University website which has been misleading students.
What this document establishes: All facts in this record are sourced directly from the official UGC RTI reply F.No.1-1086/2026(RIA/(CPP-I/PU)/176179 dated 26 February 2026, signed by an authorised UGC official. The dissolution of EIILM University is a confirmed government action, not an allegation.
Pages 3 and 4: This RTI reply is a 4-page document. Pages 3 and 4 are not yet in this record. Additional findings from those pages will be added once the full document is available.
What remains open: The current status of students who enrolled after 2009–10 through off-campus centres, and whether any criminal proceedings were initiated against EIILM University officials.