Deemed university

Deemed university, or Deemed-to-be-University, is a status of autonomy granted by the Department of Higher Education in the Union Human Resource Development Ministry, India, on the advice of the UGC, under Section 3 of UGC Act, 1956. To quote the MHRD, "An Institution of Higher Education, other than universities, working at a very high standard in specific area of study, can be declared by the Central Government on the advice of the UGC as an Institution ‘Deemed-to-be-university’. Institutions that are ‘deemed-to-be-university’ enjoy academic status and privileges of a university."

Deemed university status

The higher education system in India includes both private and public universities. Public universities are supported by the Government of India and the state governments, while private universities are mostly supported by various bodies and societies. Universities in India are recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which draws its power from the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. In addition, 15 Professional Councils are established, controlling different aspects of accreditation and coordination. The status of a deemed university allows full autonomy in courses, syllabus, admissions and fees. The UGC list dated 23 June 2008 lists 130 deemed universities. Note that although the list is dated 23 June 2008, the latest addition to the list, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, was made on 24 June 2009. According to this list, the first institute to be granted deemed university status was Indian Institute of Science which was granted this status on 12 May 1958. There are deemed universities in 18 of the 29 states of India and three of the union territories. The state with the most universities is Tamil Nadu with 28 deemed universities. As on 31 December 2015 there are 125 Deemed to be Universities in India.