Around 3,500 students who enrolled in two universities in Telangana claiming to be “universities” are not qualified to apply for higher studies in any national institutions like IITs, IIMs, and Central universities. An official from the Telangana State Higher Education department revealed that the two higher educational institutions are Guru Nanak University and Sreenidhi University. These two universities claimed to have acquired the status of a “university” under the Telangana State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2018 (Act N. 11 of 2018) and the subsequently amended Telangana State Private Universities Establishment and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2022 passed on September 13.

According to Section 22(1) of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956, a degree must be awarded only by a university established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a provincial Act, a State Act, or an institution deemed to be a university. Guru Nanak and Sreenidhi universities fail to fulfill these conditions. In addition, Section 7 of Chapter II of the Telangana State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act specifies that private universities must implement the relevant UGC regulations and any other rules and regulations laid down by the UGC and other regulatory bodies from time to time.

These two universities did not have the legal status conferred upon them at the time of admission of students, despite claiming they have a “university” status. As a result, students who graduate from these universities are not eligible to pursue higher studies in any educational institutions recognized by the UGC, All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and other regulatory bodies anywhere in the country. Moreover, they cannot apply for employment in any Central government departments and entities requiring degrees recognized by the UGC, AICTE, and other regulatory bodies.