The Union Government filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking permission to derecognise 44 C-category deemed universities which lack basic infrastructure.

On the last date of hearing, the apex court had restrained the HRD Ministry from implementing its decision to derecognise these universities.

The universities, spread throughout the country, do not fulfil the eligibility criteria. Most of them do not have campuses, adequate number of qualified teachers, laboratories or hostels.

B category universities have been given three years time to make up the deficiencies in the basic infrastructure.

The Centre had earlier informed the court about its decision to withdraw the recognition of 44 deemed universities.

The apex court had passed the restraint order keeping in view the career and future of about 200,000 students who were on the rolls.

Some of the students, unconvinced by the assurances given by the government that they will be absorbed in other educational institutions, had approached the apex court of the country challenging the decision.

Most of the deemed universities facing axe are conducting medical science and engineering courses.

UNI