Context:

The Punjab Government is scheduled to table a Bill in the Assembly to grant university status to two more higher-education institutions- CGC Jhanjeri (Mohali) and Rayat Bahra, Hoshiarpur 

Key Points:

• With the passage of these bills, total tally of Private Universities in the state will be 19.
• 6 more private universities are in the pipeline.
• Private Universities in the state are set up under the Punjab Private Universities Act.
• The private universities are autonomous bodies and can run courses that do not require recognition of the AICTE.

It is a significant step towards strengthening higher education in Punjab. Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has recently directed officials to expedite the processing of proposals from private colleges seeking university status.