Document details
| Reference number | No.F. 1-310/2024 (RIA)(CPP-I/PU) |
| Date of reply | June 2024 (office stamp 18 JUN 2024; signature dated 18/06/2024) |
| Mode of despatch | Speed Post |
| Issued by | (R.I.S. Bhardwaj), Under Secretary & CPIO |
| Public authority | University Grants Commission, Ministry of Education, Government of India, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110002 |
| Applicant | Kamesh, ACFE Member (USA) |
| RTI application | RTI letter dated 23.04.2024, received in this office on 29.04.2024 |
| Subject | Information under Right to Information Act, 2005 |
| Institution concerned | Arni University, Kathgarh, Tehsil Indora, Distt. Kangra-176401, Himachal Pradesh |
| First Appellate Authority | Mr. Amol M. Andhare, Deputy Secretary, University Grants Commission, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002 |
Questions and official answers
The reply is tabulated by question number. The questions themselves are not reproduced in the reply; the UGC's answers are set out below as printed.
| No. | Point | Official reply |
|---|---|---|
| 1 & 2 | Establishment, degree-awarding powers, study centres and franchising | Arni University, Kathgarh, Tehsil Indora, Distt. Kangra-176401, Himachal Pradesh has been established/notified on 03.11.2009 by an Act of State Legislature of Himachal Pradesh as a Private University. The university is empowered to award degrees through its main campus in regular mode with the approval of Statutory Bodies of the University and Statutory Council(s), wherever required, after creating required academic and physical infrastructure facilities including library, laboratories and appointment of teaching and supporting staffs as per the norms and standards laid down by UGC and other relevant Statutory Council(s). UGC has notified Notification on Specification of Degrees 2014 and its amendments issued from time to time wherein consolidated list of UGC approved nomenclature of degrees has been specified under Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956 wherein entry level of each degree has been provided. The universities can award only such degrees as specified by UGC. Arni University is not authorized to open study centre/ off campus centre beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the state as per the judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in case of Prof. Yashpal vs. State of Chhattisgarh. The University cannot open its centre(s) even within the state as per the provision of UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulations, 2003 without the approval of UGC. The UGC has not granted any approval to the University to open off campus/study centre. The University cannot offer its programmes through franchising arrangement with Private coaching institutions even for the purpose of conducting of courses through distance mode. The degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) are verified/validated by the issuing authority i.e. concerned university/institution only, as the details of students admitted/passed are maintained by the concerned HEI. Therefore verification of degree/Diploma is the responsibility of university concerned. |
| 3 | Information relating to the National Academic Depository | Information is related to NAD Section. Therefore, your RTI applicant is being transferred to the NAD Section. |
| 4 & 6 | Further material on the subject matters raised | No specific material information is available on the subject matters. It is for information that the PIO is not supposed to create information or to interpret information or to give non existing opinion/ advice or to solve the problems raised by the applicants or to furnish replies to hypothetical questions. Under the RTI Act, only such information can be supplied which already exists and is held by the Public Authority or held under the control of the Public Authority. However, it is informed that private universities are not established by UGC. Such universities are established by the State Governments. To regulate the functions of private universities the HP government has established HP Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission. |
| 5 | Matter falling under another UGC section | Information is related to CPP-II Section. Therefore, your RTI applicant is being transferred to the CPP-II Section. |
| Distance education | Where distance education queries must go | For information related to Distance Education you are requested to approach directly to the Joint Secretary, Distance Education Bureau, UGC, 35, Firozeshah Road, New Delhi-110 001. |
Key findings
No UGC approval for any off-campus or study centre
The reply states in terms that the UGC has not granted any approval to the University to open an off campus or study centre.
Degrees only from the main campus, in regular mode
The UGC describes the university's degree-awarding power as exercisable through its main campus in regular mode, with the approval of statutory bodies and councils where required.
Franchising with coaching institutions is excluded
The University cannot offer its programmes through a franchising arrangement with private coaching institutions, even for conducting courses through distance mode.
Verification rests with the university
Degrees, diplomas and certificates are verified or validated by the issuing authority only, because the records of students admitted and passed are held by that institution.
The UGC does not establish private universities
Private universities are established by State Governments. In Himachal Pradesh the HP Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission regulates them.
Parts of the request were transferred elsewhere
Question 3 was transferred to the NAD Section and question 5 to the CPP-II Section; distance-education queries were directed to the Distance Education Bureau.
Timeline from the record
RTI letter filed
The reply records an RTI letter dated 23.04.2024.
Received at UGC
The letter was received in the UGC office on 29.04.2024.
Reply No.F. 1-310/2024 (RIA)(CPP-I/PU)
The UGC replies that no approval has been granted for any off-campus or study centre.
What this record shows:
- The UGC states Arni University was established/notified on 03.11.2009 by an Act of the Himachal Pradesh State Legislature as a private university.
- The UGC states it has granted the university no approval to open an off campus or study centre.
- The UGC states the university cannot offer programmes through franchising arrangements with private coaching institutions.
- The UGC states degree verification is the responsibility of the issuing university.
What it does not show:
- It does not state that any particular centre exists, or name any centre.
- It does not state that any particular degree or certificate is genuine or forged.
- It does not record any finding, penalty or action against the university.
- It does not cover distance education, which the reply refers to the Distance Education Bureau.
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.