UGC Asks Colleges, Universities To Award Degree To Students Within Prescribed Timeline

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned of punitive action against Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) failing to comply with the existing guidelines on award of degrees to students.

The move comes in the backdrop of several complaints and grievances from students enrolled in different programmes about the inordinate delay on part of the higher education institutions in awarding degrees.

It is pertinent to mention here that the delay in issuance of degree, marksheet and other certificate cause numerous problems for students in pursuing further studies and also in employment.

In its latest notice, UGC has stated, “Getting a Degree in time after having successfully completing a programme is an inviolable privilege of a student.”

Under the UGC (Grant of Degrees and Other Awards by Universities) Regulations, 2008, regulation 4.4 mandates: "The Degree award date/s shall be within 180 days of the date/s by which the students are expected to qualify and become eligible for them."

The UGC has once again asked HEIs to ensure compliance of the UGC regulations and award the degree to all successful candidates within the prescribed timeline. The HEIs have also been asked to issue provisional degree along with the final year transcripts to students.

“The Commission will be constrained to take punitive actions as are notified in the Regulation 9 of UGC (Grievance Redressal) Regulation 2012 against the universities failing to comply with the UGC regulations on award of degree,” UGC notice read.