Document details
| RTI reference number | F.No. 1-1086/2026(RIA)/176169 |
| Date of reply | March, 2026 — received stamp 13 MAR 2026 |
| Reply to | RTI dated 28.01.2026 |
| Public authority | University Grants Commission, Distance Education Bureau (DEB), 35 Feroze Shah Road, New Delhi – 110001 |
| Applicant | Kamesh |
| Subject | Information sought under RTI Act 2005 — EIILM University, Sikkim: recognition, distance education approval, Mauritius branch campus, Sikkim Alpine University, public disclosure compliance |
| Signed by | Sanjay Kumar, Under Secretary |
| Appellate Authority | Dr. Salil S., Deputy Secretary, Distance Education Bureau, UGC |
| Enclosure (Annexure-I) | Distance Education Council letter F.No.DEC/Recog/2009/ dated 09.09.09, signed by Prof. Manjulika Srivastava, Director, DEC, IGNOU |
Questions and official answers
| No. | Question / matter | Official reply / content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | EIILM University, Sikkim — (a) whether recognised under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956 at the time of operation; (b) whether currently active, dissolved, deregistered or renamed, and whether Sikkim Alpine University (Kamrang, Namchi, Sikkim – 737126) is the successor institution. | “The CPP-I/PU Section has already replied to the query.” |
| 2(a) | Whether EIILM University was granted official approval by UGC to operate distance education programmes during its period of functioning. | “The EIILM University, Sikkim which is a Private University was recognized for only one academic year i.e, 2009-10 to offer only three programmes through distance mode, namely (i) B.A (Hospitality & Tourism), (ii) Bachelors in Computer Applications (BCA) and (iii) Master's in Business Administration (MBA) (Annexure-I). No further recognition has been accorded to above University.”Year-wise recognition status is in the public domain at www.deb.ugc.ac.in. |
| 2(b) | Whether EIILM University (or its successor) was authorised by UGC to establish a Mauritius branch campus, and whether degrees from such a campus are valid in India and abroad. | The university is not authorised to open study centre/off campus centre beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the State, as per the observations of the Supreme Court in Prof. Yash Pal vs The State of Chhattisgarh (2005). Private Universities cannot affiliate any college or institution, and cannot offer programmes through franchising arrangements with private institutions for distance mode “or even for regular mode”. The reply does not separately mention Mauritius. |
| 3 | Recognition of Sikkim Alpine University (formerly EIILM University): whether listed as a UGC-recognised private university, from which date and under which clause, and whether its programmes and degrees are valid. | “The CPP-I/PU Section has already replied to the query.” |
| 4 | Public disclosure compliance: whether Sikkim Alpine University or EIILM University complied with UGC Public Disclosure / Section 13 requirements. | “The CPP-I/PU Section has already replied to the query.” |
Key findings
Recognised for one academic year only
DEC accorded recognition for one academic year w.e.f. 2009-10, on the recommendation of the Joint Committee of UGC-AICTE-DEC. No further recognition was accorded.
Only three programmes approved
B.A (Hospitality & Tourism), BCA and MBA — each listed as 3 years in the DEC letter.
Eight programmes not recommended
The DEC letter lists as not recommended: B.A (Fashion Technology), BCA-MCA Integrated, MCA, M.Sc (Biotechnology), MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), and Diplomas in Mechanical, Electrical, and Electronics & Communication Engineering.
Territory limited to Sikkim; franchising prohibited
DEC stated the institution's territorial jurisdiction “shall be Sikkim State” and that it will not franchise any Study Centre. UGC-DEB adds that private universities cannot open centres beyond State jurisdiction.
Other questions referred to earlier UGC reply
Questions on Section 2(f) status, dissolution, Sikkim Alpine University and public disclosure were answered as already replied by the CPP-I/PU Section.
Programme validity table (DEC letter dated 09.09.09)
| Programme | Duration | DEC decision |
|---|---|---|
| B.A (Hospitality & Tourism) | 3 years | Recommended — 2009-10 only |
| BCA | 3 years | Recommended — 2009-10 only |
| MBA | 3 years | Recommended — 2009-10 only |
| B.A (Fashion Technology) | — | Not recommended |
| BCA-MCA Integrated | — | Not recommended |
| MCA | 3 years | Not recommended |
| M.Sc (Biotechnology) | — | Not recommended |
| MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) | 2 years | Not recommended |
| Diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics & Communication Engineering | — | Not recommended |
| Any programme after 2009-10 | — | No further recognition (UGC-DEB) |
Durations as printed in the DEC letter; blank cells in the letter are shown as “—”. Recognition was conditional, including an affidavit within 30 days, failing which the approval would be considered withdrawn.
Timeline from the record
One-year recognition for 2009-10
Three programmes recommended; eight not recommended; territory limited to Sikkim.
RTI filed
Questions on recognition, distance approval, Mauritius campus and Sikkim Alpine University.
F.No. 1-1086/2026(RIA)/176169
Confirms no recognition beyond 2009-10.
What this record shows:
- UGC-DEB's statement that EIILM University had distance recognition only for 2009-10, for three programmes, with no further recognition.
- The DEC's list of recommended and not-recommended programmes, and its conditions: Sikkim-only jurisdiction and no franchised study centres.
What it does not show:
- It does not itself confirm dissolution, Section 2(f) status or the status of Sikkim Alpine University; those questions were referred to the CPP-I/PU Section's earlier reply.
- It does not mention the Mauritius campus by name.
- It does not rule on any individual's degree.
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.