In line with the “future academic vision” instead of “commercial interests”, the UGC has notified modalities on March 6 for state private universities to set up off campus centres within their respective states. Off-campus centres can be started under the UGC’s (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private Universities) Regulation, 2003. However, to “standardise the application process and improve transparency”, the commission on February 13, 2024 approved the modalities for private universities to start off-campus centres. As per UGC notice, private universities can open off-campus centres provided that the relevant State University Act, under which the university has been established, contains a provision to do so. However, a private university set up less than five years ago cannot set up such centres. The university will have to maintain the quality of infrastructure, faculty, and programmes at par with the main campus.According to UGC records, there are 471 private universities but the UGC has not approved any off-campus centre for any private university.