Why in the News?

• The University Grants Commission (UGC) has prohibited three universities in Rajasthan from enrolling new Ph.D. students. This action follows investigations into allegations of issuing fake and backdated degrees.

Key Points:

=> Universities Affected: The institutions barred from enrolling new Ph.D. scholars are OPJS University, Churu, Sunrise University, Alwar and Singhania University, Jhunjhunu.

=> Allegations: A Standing Committee appointed by UGC has found that the three Universities did not follow the provisions of the UGC PhD Regulations and the academic norms for awarding of PhD degrees.

=> UGC's Action: The Standing Committee has recommended that the UGC may debar these Universities from enrolling PhD students for the next five years.

=> Implications: This incidence raises concerns about the quality and credibility of higher education institutions in Rajasthan.

=> It underscores the need for stringent oversight to maintain academic standards and protect students' interests.

University Grants Commission (UGC):

• UGC came into existence on 28th December, 1953 and became a statutory Organisation of the Government of India under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in university education.
• The UGC operates under the Ministry of Education, the Central Government appoints a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, and ten other members to the UGC.
• The Chairman is chosen from people who are not officers of the Central Government or any State Government.
• Apart from providing grants to eligible universities and colleges, the Commission also advises the Central and State Governments on the measures that are necessary for the development of Higher Education.
• It functions from New Delhi as well as its six Regional offices located in Bangalore, Bhopal, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune.
• It also regulates the recognition of fake universities, autonomous colleges, deemed to be universities and distance education institutions.