In a move to enhance accountability in higher education, India’s Supreme Court has ordered a thorough audit of every private and deemed university in the country. The directive requires the government and the UGC to furnish detailed records concerning the origins, governance, and any special privileges afforded to these institutions. This judicial intervention was prompted by a petition from student Ayesha Jain, who claimed Amity University, Noida, mishandled her request to update her name, causing academic distress. The court seeks to bring greater transparency to how universities are founded, governed, and managed, with a specific focus on financial operations and the ‘no-profit, no-loss’ principle. The audit will examine leadership structures, operational policies for students and faculty, and financial accountability. The UGC’s role in oversight and enforcement is under direct review, with its Chairman personally responsible for affirming the presence of robust and accessible grievance redressal systems.
