Deemed Varsities: SC Directs Centre to Maintain Status-quo

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the union government to maintain status quo on the 44 deemed universities facing de-recognition and asked the University Grants Commission to present an earlier report on the basis of which deemed status was accorded to these institutions.

A bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and AK Patnaik passed the order despite the Government’s assurance any follow-up action against these institutions would be preceded by the court’s consent.

The bench further issued notices to deemed universities and their parent varsities to file their response on the Government’s decision to de-recognise them.

Amidst strong protests from the aggrieved universities on the Government’s decision, the apex court assured them that it would not pass any adverse order without hearing them as the issue not only involved several institutions but also two lakh students.

It further directed the Union Government to place on record the reports of the Review Committee and the Task Force on the basis of which the Human Resource Development Ministry had decided to de-recognise the 44 universities.