Official notice by the University Grants Commission (UGC) has been issued regarding admission to Om Prakash Jogender Singh, otherwise known as OPJS University, located in Churu, Rajasthan for the 2024-25 academic year. The notice, being based on a communication issued by the Higher Education Department, Rajasthan states that the state government has officially banned new admissions at the university for the impending academic year.

The UGC notification, dated December 27, 2023, says, “In pursuance of the letter No. 3(1) Shikha-4/2023-00409 dated 06.11.2024 of the Higher Education Department, Government of Rajasthan, it is notified for public information that the Government of Rajasthan has prohibited new admission in OPJS University, Churu, Rajasthan with effect from session 2024-25.” This decision is taken at a time when allegations have been rife against the university for non-compliance with the regulatory norms, especially on PhD courses.

Further, the degrees issued by the institution during the last three years are also being probed, bringing into question their authenticity. The move is part of a larger effort by the UGC to check the strict adherence of institutions to established standards of academics and to protect the interests of students.

Earlier in 2023, the UGC had prohibited OPJS University from admitting students to its PhD programs as it had violated the prescribed regulations. This was after the university failed to furnish the required information regarding its PhD degrees conferred in 2018. Even after repeated requests and a show-cause notice, OPJS University did not furnish the required data or attend the meetings convened by the UGC’s Standing Committee.

The UGC notice further stated that, “A Standing Committee has been constituted by the UGC to monitor whether Universities are following the procedure and awarding Ph.D. degrees in accordance with the UGC Regulations. The Committee will also suggest measures to control violations.”. In the first phase of the process, the Committee requested the 14 Universities to submit the information/data about the Ph.D. degrees awarded in the year 2018 in the format prescribed by the Committee. It has been seen that despite various demands and issuance of a show-cause notice, OPJS University (Private University), Rawatsar Kunjla, Near Sankhu Fort, Rajgarh (Sadulpur), Jhunjunu Road, Churu, Rajasthan – 331303 did not give the information requested nor attended the meeting. UGC has viewed this non-compliance by the University very seriously.

The notice further clarified that until the UGC clears the university’s compliance with its regulations, OPJS University would remain prohibited from enrolling PhD scholars. Prospective students and parents were also advised against enrolling in the university’s PhD programmes, as degrees obtained without UGC approval would not be recognized for higher education or employment purposes.

The recent move against OPJS University underlines the commitment of the UGC to maintain standards in academia and ensure that all institutions comply with its regulations. The investigation into the past degrees of the university signals a tight approach toward rectifying lapses in academic governance.

These developments have far-reaching implications for students and parents considering admissions to OPJS University, as well as those who have already obtained degrees from the institution. The proactive measures of the UGC remind everyone of the need to verify the regulatory status of universities before enrolling in academic programmes.

The decision to ban new admissions at OPJS University and scrutinize its degrees reflects the Rajasthan government’s efforts to uphold the integrity of the higher education system. This move aims to safeguard the interests of students and ensure that they receive quality education in line with national standards. As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders are advised to stay informed and exercise caution when making decisions regarding admissions and academic pursuits at the university.