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One Law, Stronger Oversight: Sikkim Moves to Regulate Private Universities Under Unified Act

TVS Report, 28 Jan : The Sikkim government has decided to withdraw individual university-specific laws, including the Sikkim International University (SIU) Act, and introduce a single, comprehensive “Mother Act” to regulate all private universities in the state.

Principal Secretary of the Education Department Sandeep Tambe said the decision was taken after SIU failed to establish a permanent campus nearly five years after receiving approval under the 2021 legislation. He said state policy requires private universities to set up permanent campuses, preferably in rural or semi-urban areas, to promote local employment, balanced development and access to career-oriented education.

Tambe stated that SIU has made no significant progress in developing infrastructure or starting academic programmes, which undermines the purpose of granting legislative approval. He added that such delays go against the objective of encouraging credible higher education institutions in Sikkim.

Under the proposed unified law, private universities will be governed by stricter regulatory norms, mandatory disclosures, stronger student protection measures and continuous monitoring by an independent regulatory commission to ensure transparency and accountability.

Officials said SIU, promoted by the Research and Gyan for Noble Upliftment Trust, has so far failed to build a campus, appoint faculty members or begin academic sessions. The Education Department has also flagged a website operating in SIU’s name for allegedly providing misleading information.

The government said the new framework is aimed at preventing non-functional universities, ensuring accountability and protecting students’ interests through uniform oversight instead of multiple separate Acts.

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