Haryana Assembly amends private universities law to tighten its grip over the institutes

The Haryana Assembly on Monday, December 22, 2025, passed a Bill to amend the Haryana Private Universities Act, 2006, which lays down the procedure for dissolution of private universities and appointment of a director and provides for prior approval of the government for starting new courses.

The change comes in the wake of controversy after some faculty members at Al Falah University in Faridabad came under scrutiny from investigative agencies in connection with the Red Fort blast that killed at least 15 people. Delhi Police registered two separate First Information Reports against Al-Falah University following red flags raised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The FIRs were registered by the Crime Branch for cheating and forgery due to false accreditation claims made by the university.

At the conclusion of the three-day Winter Session, the State Assembly passed the Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to amend various provisions of the Haryana Private Universities Act, 2006.

After reviewing various sections of the Haryana Private Universities Act, 2006 as amended from time to time, it has been found in the statement of Objects and Reasons for the Amendment Bill that various Sections of the Act, including Sections 34A, 34B, 44, 44A and 46, need to be amended to facilitate the procedure.

Articles 44 and 44 A do not stipulate any procedure for the termination of the University and the appointment of an Administrator to the University. “Accordingly, Article 44 B needs to be amended and new Article 44 B needs to be inserted to facilitate the procedure of dissolution of the University and appointment of Administrator of the University by amendment. Moreover, the provisions of Article 46 also need to be simplified so that the provisions are expanded in the public interest and the same is clarified better,” the statement said.

He also said that some universities have introduced new courses, increased existing intake and changed the nomenclature of the course by misusing Sub-Section (3) of Section 34A without prior approval of the State Government, accordingly this section should be changed.

A proposal has been made to allow the establishment of a new University named “University of Design, Innovation and Technology” in Gurugram with the aim of improving higher education opportunities for the youth in the state.

On the last day of the meeting, seven more bills were discussed and passed.