Students will now have the opportunity to receive world-class education in their home state through new universities and foreign university campuses – Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay
Lucknow: Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay announced that the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed four landmark bills aimed at bringing transformative changes to the higher education sector. These bills pave the way for the establishment of three new private universities and the facilitation of foreign university campuses in the state. This initiative, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is a historic step towards making Uttar Pradesh an educational hub.
Minister Yogendra Upadhyay stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, these reforms in the higher education sector will strengthen the state’s image at both national and international levels. Through new universities and foreign campuses, students will have the chance to access world-class education in their home state. With the arrival of foreign universities, students will no longer need to travel outside the state for high-quality education, which will now be more affordable and accessible within Uttar Pradesh.
He explained that until now, only institutions registered in Uttar Pradesh were permitted to establish universities in the state. However, this new amendment allows institutions, companies, and trusts registered in any other state with a good track record to establish private universities in Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, foreign universities recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and approved by Uttar Pradesh will also be eligible to set up universities in the state.
These bills will open new doors of opportunity for students in Uttar Pradesh. The Yogi government’s initiative aims to make Uttar Pradesh a center of educational excellence, while also boosting employment and research opportunities at local and global levels. This transformation is not limited to the establishment of new universities; it reflects a commitment to improving the quality of education in the state and raising it to international standards.
To make higher education accessible and advanced, amendments have been made to the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities Act, 2019 (Uttar Pradesh Act No. 12 of 2019). Under these amendments, three new universities – Vidya University (Meerut), Vivek University (Bijnor), and Chandigarh University (Unnao) – will be established. These universities will not only offer quality education but also create new opportunities for regional development and employment.
To promote global-level education in the state, the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities Act, 2019 (referred to as the principal act) has been amended to include a new sub-clause in Section 2(k)(iii). The new provision states: “(iv) Institutions, trusts, or companies registered under the Acts of other states.”
Amendments have also been made to Sections 2 and 7(a) of the act. These changes allow foreign universities to establish their campuses in Uttar Pradesh.
This provision was first introduced via the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities (Ninth Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, issued by the Governor on November 14, 2024. It has now been approved by the Legislative Assembly.
