‘Deemed varsities cannot expand’

Forty-four deemed universities blacklisted by a central review panel cannot be allowed to expand, the HRD ministry has told Madras High Court in the latest round of legal battles between institutions and the government.

Forty-four deemed universities blacklisted by a central review panel cannot be allowed to expand, the HRD ministry has told Madras High Court in the latest round of legal battles between institutions and the government.

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The ministry is already stinging from a Supreme Court verdict which allowed these deemed universities to admit students during the trial of a case to determine whether these institutions can continue to offer degrees.

Allowing these 44 deemed universities to expand—by incorporating fresh institutions under their ambit—will hurt the interests of students, the ministry argued at the HC on Friday, sources told HT. The court is expected to deliver its order on the case on Tuesday.

“If the blacklisted deemed varsities are allowed to expand, it could amplify the number of students who would face problems if and when the institutions are derecognised,” a source said, adding this was ministry’s argument before the HC.

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal had ordered a probe into the functioning of deemed universities last year. The probe panel found 44 of 130 deemed universities unfit for the tag and recommended these institutions be stripped of their deemed status immediately.

But these universities that the HRD ministry wants to de-recognise immediately are admitting students this year because of the SC decision.

The Madras HC case involves a Tamil Nadu-based deemed university that wants to incorporate a new medical college. If this is allowed, students will receive degrees from this blacklisted university.