New Delhi: The national capital is set to get its first framework for private universities with the Rekha Gupta government proposing the Delhi Private Universities Bill, giving existing higher education institutions the opportunity to transition into standalone private universities.
This marks Delhi’s first approach to come up with such a framework. Several other states, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, have enacted general private-university laws allowing multiple institutions to be established under a common regulatory framework.
While the BJP government in Delhi presented the proposed legislation as its attempt towards expanding higher education in the capital, the Bill has also raised concerns of “privatisation” of existing public institutions and raised questions over the relaxation of land requirements. Unlike in other states, the Bill does not prescribe a minimum land area for campus building.
The teachers’ wing of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) issued a statement Monday raising concerns over several provisions of the Bill, including the potential transition of existing institutions into private universities without clarity on what their future status will be—privately or publicly owned.
The Bill, which was cleared by the Delhi Cabinet on 7 August, was tabled in the assembly but did not come up for discussion during the Monsoon Session. It is currently with the L-G’s office. When contacted, the office of Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said that the Bill is still in the approval process and that they would comment only when it comes up for discussion in the assembly.
ThePrint explains the Delhi Private Universities Bill and the concerns raised over it:
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‘Objective’ of the Bill
The Bill has been introduced as part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, which emphasised the need for expanding access to quality higher education through a combination of public and private participation while ensuring transparency, accountability and effective regulatory oversight.
The Bill says that Delhi’s lack of a statutory framework for private universities has “constrained” reputed educational institutions and philanthropic organisations from setting up universities in the capital, and as a result, students seeking quality higher education often migrate to neighbouring states.
A law like this would “substantially enhance educational opportunities”, attract private investment and strengthen Delhi’s higher-education ecosystem, the Bill adds.
Universities set up under the Bill will reserve 25% seats for local students. They will have wider academic and administrative autonomy of designing their own courses, award degrees, conduct exams and set admission standards and fees.
How will universities be established?
The Delhi Private Universities Bill states that private universities can be set up as either Greenfield or Brownfield universities by eligible sponsoring bodies. Greenfield universities will be established from scratch, while Brownfield universities will involve upgrading an existing higher education institution.
It may also allow any private university or higher education institution (HEI) of India to open off-campus centres in Delhi, provided that these fulfil the requirements laid down by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The sponsoring body will have to submit a detailed project report, which will be scrutinised by a government-appointed expert committee before approval.
Once the required conditions are met, the government will notify the establishment of the university. The Bill also allows universities to set up constituent colleges, additional campuses and study centres, subject to UGC norms.
These private universities will be self-financing and will not be entitled to maintenance grants or other financial assistance from the Delhi government. They will be free to decide their courses, fees, conduct examinations, admission process, as well as rules and regulations.
Why has the Brownfield Route raised concerns?
The Bill proposes a legal framework for both Greenfield and Brownfield private universities.
Raising concern over the provision, the AAP’s teachers wing, the All Academics of Delhi Teachers’ Association (AADTA), issued a statement Monday saying that the Bill does not adequately clarify the status of existing assets, students and employees following such a conversion.
“This creates a possibility of existing educational infrastructure and institutional resources being brought under private university management without sufficient safeguards to protect their public character,” it said.
The Brownfield route is not unique to Delhi. Andhra Pradesh allows existing college meeting specified land, accreditation and investment conditions to be upgraded into private universities, while Tamil Nadu’s 2025 Public Universities Bill proposed a similar route for existing private and government-aided colleges. However, amid concerns over privatisation, fees, reservation and staff security, Tamil Nadu eventually withdrew the Bill this February.
Unlike Tamil Nadu, both Andhra Pradesh and Delhi’s Bills do not explicitly specify government-funded or aided colleges as institutions eligible for such conversion.
However, AADTA raised concerns for the 12 Delhi University colleges fully funded by the Delhi government, which have been facing administrative and financial challenges, including no permanent recruitment and salary issues.
“These institutes may become a breeding ground for this provision,” the AADTA said, indicating that if such colleges turn private, affordability may become an issue for students.
Different approach to land requirement
The Bill takes a different approach to land requirements. It does not prescribe a minimum land area and explicitly states that “no quantitative minimum” for land or built-up space will be prescribed.
Many other states have a minimum land area requirement for establishment of private universities. For instance, Uttar Pradesh requires 20 acres in urban areas and 50 acres in rural areas; Andhra Pradesh also prescribes a 50-acre requirement for urban areas.
The Delhi Bill also allows private universities to use facilities of other educational institutions, public authorities or private entities through formal arrangements.
Raising concerns over the provision, AADTA said, “The Bill does not clearly specify how publicly funded infrastructure will be used, who will bear its costs, or what safeguards will protect public ownership.”
It warned that this could allow private institutions to benefit from publicly funded educational resources without adequate public accountability.
Opening doors for foreign universities
The Bill allows foreign universities seeking to establish campuses in Delhi, provided they meet eligibility criteria under UGC regulations.
An institution must either be ranked among the top 500 in a reputed global ranking, feature among the top 500 in a subject-wise global ranking, or demonstrate outstanding expertise in a particular area.
The foreign institution must secure UGC approval before applying to the Delhi government to establish a campus.
Before Delhi, Uttar Pradesh had incorporated foreign universities concept in its Private Universities Bill in 2025.
However, Rajesh Jha, a Delhi University professor, said that bringing foreign higher education institutions under the Bill could allow them to benefit from the relaxed land requirements and create a “duality” between the two regulatory frameworks—the Delhi government’s and the UGC’s.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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