New Delhi, 31 March 2023
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India presented Report No. 4 of 2025 on the functioning of universities under the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The performance audit, conducted under the CAG Act, 1971 and submitted under Section 48 of the GNCTD Act, 1991, evaluates the administrative, academic, financial, and institutional performance of universities. The audit covers the period from April 2018 to March 2023 and examines the functioning of selected institutions through test audit findings.
Scope and Structure of the Report
The report is divided into five chapters. Chapter I outlines the introduction, audit objectives, criteria, methodology, and overall findings. Chapter II examines administrative and academic issues, including planning and monitoring by the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) and Directorate of Training and Technical Education (DTTE). Chapter III focuses on accreditation and affiliation processes, particularly those related to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU). Chapter IV analyzes financial management, human resources, and infrastructure, while Chapter V reviews internal control systems, quality assurance mechanisms, and automation processes.
The audit follows established CAG standards and includes only those observations identified during the audit process.
Policy and Governance Issues
The audit identifies the absence of a comprehensive higher education policy framework in Delhi. DHE and DTTE lacked structured planning and monitoring mechanisms, leading to inconsistencies in governance and implementation.
A key issue highlighted is the delay of nearly 16 years in constituting the Admission Regulatory Committee. This delay affected transparency, uniformity, and accountability in the admission process across universities.
Accreditation and Affiliation Concerns
The report points out that several universities operated without accreditation from recognized bodies such as NAAC or NBA. In particular, GGSIPU functioned without accreditation during the audit period from 2018 to 2023, raising concerns about compliance with academic quality standards.
The affiliation process also showed deficiencies, including inadequate monitoring of affiliated institutions. Some colleges lacked required infrastructure and land, indicating gaps in regulatory enforcement.
Infrastructure and Capacity Constraints
Significant infrastructure deficiencies were observed across universities. The audit found seat shortages of approximately 26 percent in GGSIPU, 41 percent in DTU, and 59 percent in DPSRU.
These shortages indicate insufficient expansion of academic facilities in response to growing demand. Inadequate infrastructure also impacted teaching, research, and overall student experience.
Human Resource Shortages
The report highlights major gaps in staffing. Faculty shortages ranged from 38 to 45 percent in GGSIPU, 21 to 54 percent in DPSRU, and 55 to 60 percent in DTU.
The reliance on contractual and outsourced staff further affected continuity and quality of education. Delays in recruitment and lack of workforce planning contributed to these deficiencies.
Academic Quality and Curriculum Issues
Academic quality was affected due to delays in updating curricula. Around 47 percent of courses were not updated, with some syllabi remaining unchanged for periods ranging from five to eleven years.
Outdated curricula reduced the relevance of education and limited students’ employability. Research output, patent generation, and academic collaborations were also found to be limited.
Examination and Result Delays
The audit identifies inefficiencies in examination systems. Approximately 54 percent of results were declared with delays, and in some cases, delays extended up to eight months.
Such delays affected students’ academic progression and career opportunities, indicating the need for improved administrative processes and digital systems.
Financial Management Issues
The report highlights gaps in financial management, including underutilization of funds and pending liabilities. Funds amounting to ₹3.04 crore under the RUSA scheme remained unutilized.
Additionally, tax liabilities of ₹25.59 crore were identified, reflecting weaknesses in financial compliance and planning. Delays in fund disbursement and inadequate monitoring further affected institutional performance.
Internal Control and Monitoring Weaknesses
The audit notes the absence of institutional committees and weak internal control mechanisms. Quality assurance systems were not fully functional, and Management Information Systems (MIS) and automation processes were inadequate.
Stock verification was not conducted regularly, raising concerns about asset management and accountability.
Other Operational Issues
Other issues include vacant seats ranging from 14 percent to 32 percent, indicating inefficiencies in admission planning. Research activities and industry collaboration were limited, and delays were observed in scholarship distribution and student support services.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The report concludes that Delhi’s university system faces systemic challenges in governance, infrastructure, staffing, and academic quality. The lack of a clear policy framework and weak monitoring mechanisms have significantly impacted institutional effectiveness.
Key recommendations include the formulation of a comprehensive higher education policy, regular updating of curricula, strengthening accreditation and monitoring processes, and accelerating recruitment to address staff shortages.
The report also emphasizes improving infrastructure, ensuring timely declaration of results, strengthening financial management, and enhancing digital systems for better governance.
Overall, the findings highlight the need for structural reforms to improve the quality, efficiency, and accountability of higher education institutions in Delhi.
