University Grants Commission rules: Telangana HC seeks Centre’s response on State govt’s plea

The plea challenges the University Grants Commission regulations concerning institutions deemed to be universities

Hyderabad: A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara on Monday, sought a response from the Union government in a writ petition filed by the State government.

The plea challenges the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations concerning institutions deemed to be universities. The Telangana government raised concerns over several provisions of the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023, which it claims infringe upon the State’s jurisdiction.

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Specifically, the State contends that regulations such as Regulation 2(15), 6, 7, 8, 29, and 30, as well as certain superseded provisions from the UGC Regulations of 2019, 2016, and 2010, unlawfully usurp the State’s authority over granting university status, especially the designation of “Deemed University” to educational institutions.

The State further argued that these regulations grant the Union government undue power to approve the establishment of off-campus centres within the State of Telangana without the consent of the State government, which it claims was a violation of the Telangana Education Act, 1982. This move, according to the State, runs contrary to the provisions of the Telangana Universities Act, 1991.

Additionally, the State’s petition highlights that these UGC regulations were ultra vires (beyond the powers) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956, and were unconstitutional.

The State pointed out that the regulations contravene the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with the powers of States regarding education.

As a result, the Telangana government sought the court’s intervention to strike down these provisions and set aside any deemed approvals granted to institutions as Deemed Universities under these regulations within the State.

The bench directed the Union government to file its response and adjourned the case by four weeks.