In a significant move to uphold academic standards, the University of Mumbai (MU) has prohibited 229 affiliated colleges from admitting first-year students for the 2025–26 academic year. This decision follows the colleges’ failure to comply with mandatory accreditation and governance requirements.
Accreditation and Governance Shortcomings
Of the 229 colleges, 156 have not secured or renewed accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) or the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). Additionally, 73 colleges have not established a College Development Committee (CDC), a statutory body responsible for institutional planning and development.
These actions contravene Sections 110(4) and 97 of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, which mandate accreditation and the formation of CDCs for affiliated institutions.
University’s Response and Penalties
Despite multiple reminders and notices, the non-compliant colleges did not take corrective measures. Consequently, MU’s Management Council decided to suspend their admission processes and impose a fine of ₹10,000 on each institution.
Free Press Journal
+1
Careers360
+1
The list of affected colleges has been published on the university’s official website, advising students and parents to verify the status of institutions before proceeding with admissions.
Careers360
Emphasis on Quality Education
This enforcement aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes quality assurance in higher education. The state government had previously set a deadline of March 2024 for all colleges to complete the accreditation process, launching initiatives like the ‘Paris Sparsh’ scheme to facilitate compliance.
MU’s decisive action underscores its commitment to maintaining educational standards and ensuring that affiliated colleges meet the necessary criteria for delivering quality education.
