UGC issues notice to 54 private universities for violating disclosure rules

The University Grants Commission has pulled up 54 state private universities across the country for failing to follow transparency rules and upload mandatory public disclosure details on their websites.

In a notice issued under Section 13 of the UGC Act, 1956, the regulator flagged non-compliance with the Public Self-Disclosure by Higher Education Institutions, 2024 guidelines that came into effect on June 10 this year.

The rules require universities to host functional websites where key data is accessible to the public without login barriers.

Universities were instructed to submit detailed information with attested documents through their registrar’s office and to place the same on their websites with a direct link from the home page.

This was aimed at ensuring easy access for students, parents, and other stakeholders.

Despite repeated reminders through emails and online meetings, 54 institutions have failed to comply.

The list covers universities in Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

Some of the named institutions are well-regarded within their states for professional and specialized courses.

The UGC emphasized that such lapses weaken public trust and raise doubts about governance.

The guidelines were framed to improve accountability, provide better access to information, and help stakeholders evaluate institutional quality and performance.

Experts point out that disclosures about faculty, academic programs, research, infrastructure, and financial matters are critical for informed decision-making by students.

They also note that such transparency is central to building a credible higher education system.

The regulator has warned that further inaction could result in stronger measures, including regulatory scrutiny and sanctions.

The move is considered part of a broader push to make universities more accountable and could encourage other institutions to strengthen their compliance with disclosure norms.