Christ University is now just 'Christ' after UGC's directive

After University Grants Commission (UGC) released a list of deemed varsities that can no more use the word ''university'' in their names, Chandigarh-based PEC University of Technology and Bengaluru's Christ University have rechristened themselves.

New names:

The PEC University of Technology has decided to switch back to its former name Punjab Engineering College

Christ University has decided to use "Christ"

Here's what a senior UGC official said:

"The deemed to be universities had time to drop the word 'university' and change their names. Review will be done and compliance reports have been sought. Strict action, including cancellation of the deemed to be varsity status, will be taken against the defaulting institutions," a senior UGC official told PTI.

Further, the list of 123 deemed-to-be varsities include names like IIFT, Jamia Hamdard, BIT Mesra, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore etc.

As reported, the SC was earlier listening to a case involving the entitlement of the deemed varsities to start engineering courses through distance mode and award degrees for the same.

Note: The court further added that varsities and institutes can award degrees but cannot use the word 'University' by virtue of Section 23 of the UGC Act.

Here's what lawyer who has represented deemed universities in court said:

"I am surprised to note that the Supreme Court feels that the deemed Universities are unregulated, which is not the case, in fact they are the most regulated controlled segment," said Ravi Bhardwaj, a lawyer who has represented deemed universities in court.

More on the report:

The apex court suspended such degrees granted by four 'deemed to be universities' between 2001 and 2005

In the new order, UGC has covered those varsities that are yet to be given "deemed" status

here . Meanwhile, candidates can check the names of the institutes listed by UGC

(With inputs from PTI)