What is a Deemed University: Meaning, Benefits & Criteria

What is a Deemed University: A 'Deemed University' or 'deemed-to-be university' is a higher educational institute that is formed under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. Unlike regular universities, a deemed university comes under a special category of institutes that are entitled to frame and structure their degree program and formulate curriculum as per their choice. Educational institutes accredited with 'deemed' or 'deemed to be' status are perhaps the most prestigious and known to offer world-class education. These universities have been bestowed the honour of being highly acclaimed varsities by the government of India’s Ministry of Education. To seek this top designation, an educational institute needs to meet certain eligibility parameters. If you are curious about the deemed university and its relevance in the educational sector, continue reading this article.

Meaning of Deemed University

A deemed university is a higher educational institution that has been granted academic status and certain special powers by the Ministry of Education. This category of institutions is regarded as a pioneer in imparting high-quality education with a diverse range of courses. Currently, India has around 130 deemed-to-be universities that provide courses in multiple disciplines including Science, Arts, Engineering, Medicine, Law, and Management. Compared to normal universities, deemed universities hold complete autonomy over administrative and academic affairs. The government has given certain rights to these universities to frame their own policies on fee structure, curriculum, courses, and other regulations without the University Grants Commission's (UGC) permission. Deemed-to-be universities are not bound by guidelines set by UGC.

Deemed University Status

India's higher education system comprises both public and private universities. Public universities receive support from the Government of India and state governments, while private universities are often backed by various financial institutions, private societies, or trustees. The UGC plays a crucial role in recognizing universities in India, deriving its authority from the University Grants Commission Act, of 1956. Additionally, 15 Professional Councils oversee diverse aspects of accreditation and coordination.

The designation of a ‘deemed-to-be university’ grants institutions full autonomy in shaping courses, designing syllabi, managing admissions, and setting fees. As of November 30, 2021, the UGC has acknowledged 126 institutes with deemed university status. Notably, the Indian Institute of Science was the first institute to receive this status on May 12, 1958. Tamil Nadu leads as the state with the highest number of deemed universities, boasting 28 institutions with this special status of deemed university.

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Types of Universities in India

Apart from knowing what is a deemed university in India, one must know the different types of universities in the country. In India, there are a total of 789 universities, categorized as Central, State, Private, and Deemed-to-be universities. The table below provides an overview of the overall number of universities in India, categorized by type:

The table below outlines key differences, providing valuable insights into the different types of educational institutions in India:

Also Read: Public University vs Private University: Which is Better?

Top Features of Deemed University in India

India has a total of 1074 universities that fall into the category of state, central, private, and deemed institutes. These higher education centres enable students coming from diverse academic backgrounds to enrol in UG, PG, and doctoral-level programs. In case you are wondering about the factors segregating deemed universities from the rest, check the salient features of these top-rated learning centres.

Emphasis on Research-Based Education

A differentiating factor that gives a varsity high-level status is its primary focus on education through extensive research and development. These institutes are found to be associated with conducting research across various fields of study.

Course Diversification

Deemed universities are known to offer a wide array of courses across science, arts, engineering, medicine, and management streams among others. Some universities even specialize in some specific field of study.

Reputation

Being honoured by the Ministry of Education with its acclaimed status makes a university highly reputable. This status acts as an image booster for educational institutes.

Autonomy

This category of universities holds the power to determine a curriculum structure or fix admission criteria. Most Deemed varsities conduct their entrance exams to help students secure admission in UG or PG courses. Autonomous features offer scope to these learning centres to bring innovative approaches to education.

Fund Generation 

These educational institutions can raise funds through collaborative initiatives, research works, and fees. The government often directly grants funds to them.

Admission Criteria

They generally formulate individual criteria for admission in various courses. Most of them conduct their entrance exams and few accept national entrance scores including JEE Main, NEET, etc for admissions.

Criteria That Make an Institute a Deemed University

For a university to attain the ‘deemed-to-be university' status from the UGC, it must fulfil the following criteria:

• Consistent Excellence: A deemed university should consistently receive the highest scores from the NAAC and, in some cases, from the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) for five consecutive cycles.
• Credit Recognition: In cases involving the NBA, credits should be awarded for all eligible courses. The university can also target the highest category in NAAC/NBA during the application or secure a position among the top 100 in the National Ranking Framework list.
• Academic Excellence: A deemed university must meet all criteria for being an excellent institution in terms of academics, teaching methods, research facilities, etc.
• Degree Offerings: A deemed university should offer undergraduate courses and at least 5 postgraduate degrees for three consecutive years.
• Research and Publications: Active involvement in various research and scholarly activities, including a minimum number of publications annually. Faculties like Humanities, Engineering, and Medicine should meet specific publication criteria.
• Qualified Teaching Staff: The university should maintain an adequate number of full-time teaching staff, adhering to UGC guidelines for teaching and research activities.
• Infrastructure and Facilities: Proper infrastructure and facilities for research and data purposes must be in place.
• Research Funding: A deemed university should have a track record of receiving funding from various private/public agencies for diverse research purposes.
• Social and Extension Services: Engagement in official social and extension services like social work, affiliations with NGOs, etc.
• Distance Learning: A commitment not to offer distance learning courses.

What is a Deemed University: Benefits

Students while shortlisting colleges for higher education weigh various factors that include ranking, accreditations, recognition, reputation, and academic records. If you are pondering about the possible benefits of choosing Deemed universities over regular ones then go through the below-mentioned points.

Recognition

The “Deemed” status is probably the most prestigious accolade a higher education institute can earn. Students securing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from these colleges gain a competitive edge in the job market. 

Academic Excellence

This category of universities often appears on the wish list of students for its high-quality education by a team of qualified and experienced faculties. In fact, learners can choose from a wide array of specializations in their chosen field of study.

Lucrative Placements

Students enrolled in deemed universities can get a complete guarantee of placements at top companies with handsome packages. These institutions have dedicated career development cells helping students to learn employability skills and enhance their chances of getting hired at top organizations. 

List of Deemed Universities in India

Find the list of deemed universities in India located across various states of India and shortlist the one that suits your preferences.

Difference Between Deemed-to-be, Autonomous & Private Institutes

Now that we know what is a deemed university, let us understand the differences between Deemed, Autonomous, and Private Institutes. The table below gives a simple overview of the key differences between these 3 types of universities:

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Hopefully, this article gives you a fair idea about the meaning, benefits, and parameters of qualifying an education institute as a Deemed university. We recommend you enquire about a college before beginning the admission process.

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