The University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially removed Pragyan International University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, from its list of recognized universities under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956. This decision comes after the university failed to provide the necessary information required for an inspection by the commission, raising concerns over its functioning and compliance with regulatory norms. The removal marks a significant development in the higher education sector in Jharkhand and has sparked discussions regarding the oversight of private universities in India.
The decision to delist the university was prompted by a resolution passed by the Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Jharkhand, under the Department of Higher and Technical Education. According to the resolution dated March 20, 2024, the state government decided to repeal the Pragyan International University Act, 2016, through the Pragyan International University (Repeal) Act, 2023. The primary reason cited for this repeal was that despite being established in 2016, the university had not commenced academic activities or initiated the teaching-learning process, raising questions about its operational status.
In an official notification, the UGC detailed the timeline of events that led to the removal of Pragyan International University from its list. The university was originally established under Act No. 11 of 2016, with its notification being issued by the Government of Jharkhand on May 16, 2016. Following its recognition, the university’s name was included in the UGC’s list of universities on August 3, 2016, under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956. However, as per regulatory requirements, the university was expected to submit information for an inspection by the UGC, which it failed to do.
Repeated attempts were made by the UGC to obtain the necessary details from Pragyan International University, but the university remained unresponsive. The commission attempted to establish contact through telephone calls and emails, but no response was received. Consequently, on June 19, 2024, the UGC formally requested the Government of Jharkhand to provide an update on the university’s status. Based on the state government’s confirmation that the university had never become operational, the UGC proceeded to remove it from the recognized list.
The UGC notification further emphasized that the removal was undertaken in the interest of transparency and regulatory compliance. The commission also issued a public advisory to stakeholders, including students, informing them that Pragyan International University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, is no longer recognized under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956. The advisory serves as a warning for students who may have been considering enrollment in the university or those seeking verification of its legitimacy.
The removal of Pragyan International University from the UGC list has raised concerns over the governance of private universities in India. Experts in the higher education sector argue that this case underscores the need for stricter oversight and periodic evaluations to ensure universities comply with the standards set by regulatory bodies. The incident also highlights the importance of timely inspections and reporting mechanisms that can prevent non-functional institutions from misleading students and stakeholders.
The fate of Pragyan International University remains uncertain following its removal from the UGC list. While the repeal of its founding Act by the Jharkhand government effectively nullifies its existence, the long-term implications for students and faculty associated with the university are yet to be determined. Authorities have urged students and guardians to verify the recognition status of universities through official channels before seeking admissions.
As the UGC continues its efforts to maintain quality standards in higher education, the delisting of Pragyan International University serves as a cautionary tale for other institutions that fail to meet regulatory requirements. With increasing scrutiny on educational institutions across India, this action reinforces the need for accountability and adherence to academic and administrative standards.
