Maharashtra Halts New Private Universities Pending Review of 34 Active Institutions
The Maharashtra State Higher and Technical Education Department in Mumbai has halted permissions for all new private universities until a comprehensive review of the state's 34 existing private institutions is completed. The decision follows a rise in complaints from parents and students, alongside pending court cases regarding the functioning of these institutions.
To address these concerns, the state government has expanded the mandate of a four-member committee that was initially constituted in April. Headed by Prof. Bhushan Patwardhan, the former chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the panel will now conduct a thorough reassessment of the state’s regulatory framework for higher education.
The committee was originally tasked with studying the feasibility of converting unaided colleges into private universities. However, senior officials stated that the panel's role has been widened to review the state's 2023 umbrella law governing private universities and recommend necessary policy amendments.
Currently, Maharashtra has 34 functioning private universities. Over recent months, the government has received a growing number of complaints from students and parents. These grievances primarily center on fee structures, faculty recruitment processes, academic administration, general accountability, and compliance with state regulations.
State officials revealed that the government sought detailed information from all private universities about a year ago to assess their operations. Despite this request, many institutions failed to furnish the required details. Preliminary information collected by the department indicated discrepancies in management practices and faculty recruitment across several institutions, with officials noting that only a few universities appeared to be functioning with genuine academic objectives.
As a result of these findings, the department has resolved not to issue any government resolutions for setting up new private universities. This freeze will remain in place until the Patwardhan committee submits its final report.
In addition to administrative concerns, officials cited ongoing litigation as a key factor in the decision. The state is currently addressing a pending matter before the Supreme Court, which has directed the government to explain various issues related to the operations of private universities.
