UGC Warns Universities, Educational Institutions Over 'Unspecified' Degrees

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned universities and other educational institutions against conferring or granting 'unspecified' degrees.

In a letter to vice chancellors of all universities, UGC said that the right of granting degrees shall be exercised only by a varsity established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act or a State Act or an Institution deemed to be a University under section 3 or an Institution specially empowered by an Act of Parliament to confer or grant degrees.

“It has been observed that some universities/Institutions are awarding unspecified degrees leading to litigations and different problems for the students conferred with such degrees. The Universities are once again, requested to abide by the provision of Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956 and award only such degrees as have been specified by the UGC,” the commission said in the letter.

The commission also asked the varisites and educational institutions to abide by the consolidated list provided by it for the approved nomenclature of degrees.

“If a university wishes to award a degree other than the one specified by the UGC, it shall approach the UGC for its approval six months prior to starting the degree programme with full justification on the course to be started,” it read.

It further said that some universities/Institutions are awarding ‘unspecified’ degrees leading to litigations and different problems for the students conferred with such degrees.

“The Universities are once again, requested to abide by the provision of Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956 and award only such degrees as have been specified by the UGC,” it added.