Pune: Maharashtra Universities, Including MIT Vishwaprayag and DES Pune, Fail UGC Mandate
Pune, 25th June 2024: Despite the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) directive to appoint an Ombudsman (Lokpal) in universities nationwide, 157 universities across India have failed to comply, including nine universities in Maharashtra spanning both state and private institutions.
The Gazette regarding UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Rules 2023 was published on April 11th, mandating the appointment of ombudsmen in central, state, private, and affiliated universities. Universities were warned of potential penalties if they failed to comply. A January list revealed 421 non-compliant universities, and an updated June list shows 157, a decrease but still indicative of universities’ disinterest in compliance.
Among these, Maharashtra accounts for nine, including MIT Vishwaprayag University (MITVPU) in Pune and DES Pune University. Other universities in Maharashtra highlighted for non-compliance include the International Sports University in Pune, Laxminarayan Innovation Technological University in Nagpur, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences in Nashik, and Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s University in Mumbai.
UGC has reiterated its directive, emphasizing the need for ombudsmen appointments. The significant presence of non-compliant government universities in Maharashtra underscores a paradox, with private institutions being scrutinized for rule adherence while state institutions themselves are failing to follow through.
