DIMAPUR — The Department of Higher and
Technical Education, Nagaland, has issued guidelines for the establishment of
private universities in the state.
According to a DIPR report, the notification aligns with the
University Grants Commission's (UGC) "Establishment and Maintenance of
Standards in Private Universities Regulations, 2003" and details the
procedures, requirements, and commitments for potential sponsoring bodies
aiming to establish private universities.
It was mentioned that sponsoring bodies must be registered
as societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860; public trusts under
relevant laws or the Indian Trusts Act, 1882; and companies under Section 8 of
the Companies Act, 2013.
Proposals for private universities must be submitted to the
Department of Higher Education along with a detailed project report (DPR) and a
non-refundable fee of INR 2,00,000. The application will undergo review at both
the departmental and state levels.
It should detail the objectives, location, and justification
for the university; proposed academic programmes, fee structures, and
provisions for socially or economically disadvantaged groups (with a minimum of
25% reserved seats); land availability; infrastructural plans; financial
outlays for the first five years; compliance commitments to UGC norms; and the
inclusion of state government representatives on university governing bodies.
Applications will be scrutinised by committees at both the
departmental and state levels, with inspections conducted to assess feasibility
and compliance. Proposals that meet all requirements will be forwarded for
final approval within three months.
Upon approval, the state government may issue a letter of
intent (LoI), requiring sponsoring bodies to: establish a permanent endowment
fund of INR 3 crore; procure at least 25 acres of land; develop essential
infrastructure, including administrative and academic buildings; and invest in
learning resources worth INR 10 lakh.
After fulfilling the LoI conditions, a bill for the
establishment of the university will be introduced in the state legislature for
approval and gazette notification.
Universities must adhere to UGC norms, obtain necessary
approvals for programmes from regulatory bodies, and achieve National
Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation within five years of
establishment.
Newly established universities must submit annual reports
and audit reports to the Department of Higher Education. Additionally, INR 250
per student must be contributed annually to the state government.
