UGC mandates full transparency on college and university websites as per NEP 2020

Bhubaneswar, May 26: In a significant move to enhance transparency and accountability in higher education institutions, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a directive mandating all colleges and universities to comprehensively manage and regularly update their official websites. This initiative aligns with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

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According to the UGC, educational institutions must now publish all essential information on their websites, making public self-disclosure mandatory. The objective is to ensure that key data regarding the functioning and governance of institutions is accessible to all stakeholders, including students, parents, and regulatory authorities.

Websites are required to host complete details about the institution, including links to relevant sections, university rules and regulations, affiliated colleges, and distance education programs. Institutions must also display their NAAC and NIRF rankings, accreditation statuses, and annual reports.

In a bid to strengthen financial transparency, universities and colleges must upload their annual account reports, balance sheets, income-expenditure statements, and audit reports.

Further, institutions must showcase their academic leadership by providing names, designations, photographs, and profiles of key officials such as the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Deans, Controller of Examinations, PG Council Chairperson, and Chief Vigilance Officer, among others.

Academic-related content including the academic calendar, course offerings, departments, schools, and libraries must also be made available online. In addition, details regarding admission fees, fee refund policies, research and development cells, incubation centers, and central facilities are to be included.

The directive also covers student-centric facilities, such as information on sports infrastructure, NCC, NSS, hostels, placement cells, health services, and committees for anti-ragging, internal complaints, gender equality, socio-economic welfare, and provisions for differently-abled students.

Finally, universities and colleges must publish RTI (Right to Information) details, newsletters, job openings, notices, admission procedures, and comprehensive contact information to ensure ease of communication and transparency.

The UGC's directive is expected to usher in a new era of digital governance and openness across India’s higher education landscape.