By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
25% seats reserved for Delhi students; multi-storey campuses and new regulatory authority proposed
New Delhi: The Delhi Cabinet has approved a draft Bill to facilitate the establishment and incorporation of private universities in the National Capital Territory, marking what the government described as a major step towards transforming Delhi into a global centre for higher education.
The Bill, approved under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, will now be introduced in the Delhi Legislative Assembly for consideration and passage.
Gupta said the proposed legislation would create a modern, transparent and effective framework for establishing world-class private universities in the Capital, while expanding opportunities in research, innovation, entrepreneurship, industry-academia collaboration and international academic partnerships.
25% Seats for Delhi Students
A key provision of the proposed legislation is the reservation of 25% of seats in every programme for Delhi students, in accordance with the applicable reservation policy.
Private universities would also be required to maintain transparent and non-discriminatory admission procedures, with accountability extending to examinations, academic standards and quality assurance mechanisms.
The government said the move would help reduce the need for students to relocate to neighbouring states or abroad for quality higher education, potentially easing the financial burden on families.
Multi-Storey Campuses for Land-Constrained Delhi
Recognising Delhi’s limited land availability, the proposed framework would allow a modern urban university model, including multi-storey, high-tech campuses, rather than requiring traditional large, horizontal campuses.
The emphasis would instead be placed on academic quality, infrastructure, research capabilities, student facilities and institutional governance.
The Bill would also facilitate the entry of internationally reputed educational institutions and their off-campus centres into Delhi, strengthening the Capital’s position as a higher education destination.
New Regulatory Authority Proposed
The legislation proposes the establishment of the Delhi Private Universities Regulatory Authority to oversee teaching standards, research, governance, admissions, examinations, student records and overall institutional performance.
The Authority would also have powers to issue corrective directions where required, according to the government.
Before receiving approval, each proposed university would undergo detailed scrutiny by a committee comprising senior government officials, eminent academicians, representatives of the University Grants Commission and financial experts.
Private universities would be required to operate on a self-financed basis and would not receive regular financial grants from the Delhi Government. They could, however, access research projects and funding in accordance with applicable rules.
‘A New Chapter in Higher Education’
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the initiative would open a new chapter in Delhi’s higher education landscape and give young people access to world-class opportunities within their own city.
She said the proposed law was aimed not merely at creating new universities but at encouraging investment in education, accelerating research and innovation, generating employment and building a globally competitive, knowledge-driven ecosystem.
“This law is not just about private universities, it is about the future of Delhi’s youth,” Education Minister Ashish Sood said.
Sood said Delhi had long been a major hub for students preparing for higher education, even as many were compelled to leave the Capital to pursue quality university education. The proposed legislation, he said, seeks to address this gap and advance the government’s objective of making Delhi the Knowledge Capital of India.
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