Following a student’s grievance, the Supreme Courthas ordered the Centre, all states, UTs, and the University Grants Commission(UGC) to reveal how private universities in India were set up and how they are being regulated and monitored, according to a report by Bar and Bench.
A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and NV Anjaria said this step was important for the public because there needs to be clarity on how private universities are formed, the laws under which they function and the benefits they receive from governments. The Court has asked all governments to file detailed affidavits explaining the legal basis behind setting up private universities and whether they received any financial or administrative support such as land or special treatment.
The Court also wants information on who controls these universities, who sits on their governing bodies and how these members are chosen.
ALSO READ‘Can order ECI to extend deadline’ – Key observations made by SC on SIR
Petition triggered by student’s allegations against Amity University
The case was triggered by a petition filed by 23-year-old student Ayesha Jain, who said Amity Universityrefused to change her name in its records even though she had submitted all the legal documents. She claimed the university staff harassed her, stopped her from attending classes and mocked her for choosing a “Muslim name”.
Jain told the Court that despite complaining to the UGC and Ministry of Education, no effective action was taken and due to the university’s behaviour, she lost a full academic year.
The issue goes back to 2021 when she changed her name from Khushi Jain to Ayesha Jain and published it in the Gazette of India. She completed a certificate course under her new name in 2023 and later joined an MBA programme at Amity Business School in 2024. According to her, the university still refused to update her name and blocked her from attending classes or appearing for exams.
After multiple complaints with no solution, she approached the Supreme Court in mid-2025, accusing the university of discrimination and misuse of power.
SC earlier criticised Amity’s conduct
Earlier, the Court had criticised Amity University’s conduct. On October 9, it ordered the chairman and vice-chancellor to personally appear before the Court. When the matter came up again on October 14, the Court said the university had made a “mockery” of its orders after it tried to offer Rs 1 lakh compensation, as per the report.
The judges then summoned Dr. Atul Chauhan, President of Ritnand Balved Education Foundation (which runs Amity Universities), along with the vice-chancellor.
On November 20, both officials appeared and submitted their affidavits. But instead of closing the case, the Court decided to widen its scope, noting that the issues raised were linked to larger concerns about how private universities operate in India, the report said.
ALSO READ‘What magic wand can solve this?’, SC to hear Delhi’s air pollution ’emergency’ on regular basis from Dec 3
“The issues have now come before this Court, which the present coram has also deliberated in detail, in the larger public interest, it is deemed appropriate to examine the aspects relating to the creation/establishment/setting-up of all private Universities,” the Bench noted.
Along with regulatory clarity, the Court wants details on admission processes, teacher recruitment, grievance redressal for students and staff, salary payments and whether universities claiming to run on a “no profit, no loss” basis are actually doing so.
Strict warning against false information
The Court made clear that the responsibility for accuracy lies directly with the top officials. “Responsibility for every disclosure and its correctness shall rest with the deponent concerned,” the Bench said.
It also warned against hiding or twisting facts. “If there is any attempt to withhold, suppress, misrepresent or mis-state facts in the affidavits called for, this Court will be compelled to adopt a strict view,” it said. |
