University Grants Commission debars private university from admitting students for PhD programme

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has debarred a private university from admitting students for its PhD programme because it had not given detailed information on the degrees awarded by it during 2018.

Commission secretary Manish Joshi issued a notice on Wednesday, asking students not to seek admission in Om Parkash Jogender Singh (OPJS) University in Churu, Rajasthan.

The commission had set up a committee to monitor whether universities were awarding PhD degrees in accordance with the UGC rules.

According to the notice, 14 universities were asked to submit the information about PhD degrees awarded in 2018 in a format prescribed by the committee. Despite repeated requests and a showcause notice, OPJS University did not give the information.

“Accordingly, it has been decided to debar the university from enrolling scholars under its PhD programmes with immediate effect till such time the UGC clears the university to offer such programme,” it said.