From Campus Safety to Global Campuses: UGC’s 2025 Highlights

Since 1956, University Grants Commission (UGC) has been India's apex regulator for higher education. UGC has lately been undergoing major policy changes, reflecting India’s New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 goals implemented this year. Recent events, from student welfare to foreign university setups show UGC's evolving role. This article outlines key updates shaping higher education policy in India today.

A. Structural Overhaul Coming Soon

The Government of India has been formulating the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, unifying UGC, AICTE, and NCTE. The Bill will have separate verticals for regulation, funding, accreditation, and standards, each. 

B. UG/PG Curriculum Reforms

The new 2025 guidelines enable:

• For students of Honours, there shall be multiple points to enter and exit throughout the curriculum. 
• There shall be two academic cycles per year. 
• This will help in encouraging and recognition of skill and experimental learning. 
• This offers flexibility in the process of completion of degrees.

C. NAAC Accreditation Goes Fully Digital

The first thing that students usually look for when getting an admission in any college is its NAAC Ranking. This makes a student’s dream placement seem more promising. This NAAC Accreditation Process has become faster, paperless and transparent, going fully digital. This aims at boosting quality assurance and institutional accountability. 

D. Crackdown on Approval Frauds

The biggest problem that UG and PG Students face when taking admission in Colleges is Counselling and Fake Agent Scams. It is very difficult to figure out what is right and what is not. Therefore, UGC warns the public and institutions of fake approval agents impersonating officials. 

E. UGC-NET June 2025 Results Out

According to reports, an approximate of 11.21 lakh candidates registered for the UGC-NET 2025. Out of them, over 1.28 lakh candidates have qualified. These qualifiers include qualifiers for JRF and Assistant Professorship. The results were announced ahead of its schedule in June 2025. 

F. Focus on Campus Safety & Student Welfare

Mental wellness of a person matters more than it is prioritized. UGC has been investigating student suicide at KIIT, Balasore. Issued show-cause notices, warned of action including loss of deemed-university status. In addition to that, calls of mental health services, anti-ragging vigilance, and fitness/sports are being encouraged and promoted by institutions. 

G. Foreign Universities in India

Opening of Foreign Universities in India encourages not only better education but also better opportunities, placements and growth for students as well as surroundings. University of Southampton opens its first foreign campus in Gurgaon. Other than that, 17 global universities have received approval since 2023 regulations. This is a boost to India’s Global Academic Integration. 

In 2025, the UGC is reshaping itself from a traditional regulator into a forward-looking force in Indian higher education. With reforms focusing on flexibility, mental health, digital transparency, and international collaboration, the aim is clear: to put students first. As one UGC circular notes, “The well-being, safety, and holistic development of students must be central to every institution’s mission.” While challenges remain, these shifts mark a significant move toward a more inclusive and future-ready academic landscape. 

By Jishnu Mukherjee