Committee to study feasibility of converting aided colleges into private universities in Maharashtra

The committee has been given two months to submit its report to the state government.

The Higher and Technical Education Department constituted a high-level committee to examine feasibility and framework for converting non-government aided colleges into private universities as part of a broader policy review. It will prepare a comprehensive report on academic, administrative, financial, and legal aspects; define eligibility norms (minimum academic standards, infrastructure, and research output); study provisions under the 2023 Act and 2024 rules. The panel is chaired by Bhushan Patwardhan, with the joint director of higher education, Pune division, as member secretary and coordinator.

The rules notified under the Maharashtra Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act were issued in 2024.

The article notes that the committee will study provisions under the Maharashtra Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2023.