SDF Raises Alarming Concerns Over UGC Notification Regarding Private Universities in Sikkim
The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) once again raises serious concerns regarding the rapid and unchecked privatisation of higher education in Sikkim under the SKM government. The SDF party has repeatedly questioned the credibility of newly inducted private universities, many of which now face scrutiny from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
According to a recent UGC notification dated 24th September 2025, five private universities – Medhavi Skills University, Sikkim Alpine University, Sikkim Global Technical University, Sikkim International University, Sikkim Skill University – have failed to comply with mandatory regulatory norms despite repeated reminders from the Commission. These institutions have not disclosed essential information as required under Section 13 of the UGC Act, 1956, and have failed to upload Public Self Disclosure details on their official websites.
Section 13 of the UGC Act empowers the Commission to inspect universities to evaluate their academic standards, financial health, research output, and administrative functioning. The universities in question have failed to cooperate with this process, raising serious doubts about their transparency and functioning.
Furthermore, these institutions have not submitted the required proforma, which mandates the disclosure of key details such as curriculum structure, admission processes, and background information on the promoting trust or society. This includes whether the said trust is engaged in any non-educational activities, whether members of Society/Trust are members in other Society/Trusts or in the Board of Governors in other companies, —a crucial detail in assessing its credibility.
The SDF party has consistently voiced opposition to the SKM government’s practice of hastily passing bills in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly to approve a large number of private universities. In most cases, the trusts or societies establishing these institutions were formed mere months before their proposals were brought to the Legislative Assembly. This points to either a shocking lack of due diligence or a deliberate attempt to push through questionable entities, potentially for political or personal gain.
The recent UGC notification validates the SDF’s longstanding apprehensions about these universities. It is particularly alarming that five universities in a small state like Sikkim have been flagged, whereas a much larger state like Uttar Pradesh has only four such cases. This stark numerical contrast underscores the gravity of the situation in Sikkim and raises alarming questions about the quality and authenticity of these private universities.
The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) demands that the SKM government immediately initiate an independent, comprehensive review of all newly established private universities in the state. This review must include an assessment of their legal validity, academic integrity, financial transparency, and compliance with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms.
We further demand that the government urgently investigate the reasons behind the blatant non-compliance with UGC regulations by these institutions and take corrective action without delay. The Education Department, under the SKM government, must come also forward with a clear and detailed public statement addressing these serious lapses. As these universities are a “brainchild” of the SKM regime, the government must take full responsibility and explain how such institutions are operating with these glaring irregularities.
The SDF party reiterates: the people of Sikkim will not tolerate compromised standards in the education sector. We demand transparency, accountability, and a commitment to educational quality for the sake of student interests and academic standards,according to Shail Rai
Spokesperson Zonal(Jorethang)
