HRD Ministry has no plans to open satellite campus of JNU, IIT

The HRD Ministry on Monday said it had no plan to open a satellite campus of the JNU, IIT or IIMs. Union Minister of State for HRD Satyapal Singh informed this to the Lok Sabha in response to a written question.

"There is no plan for opening of a satellite campus or branches by JNU, IITs or IIMs. As a policy, the government does not encourage establishment of satellite campuses of such educational institutions," Singh said.  

JNU Vice Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar had in October announced that the university was planning to set up a satellite campus outside the national capital region (NCR) with an aim to make the university accessible to more students. The university had also set up an expert committee to conduct a feasibility study. 

The HRD Minister also said that he has not received any complaints regarding charging of exorbitant fees by the deemed to be universities. "No specific complaints are received by this ministry regarding charging of exorbitant fee by the deemed to be universities. As per the University Grants Commission norms, deemed to be universities are not allowed to accept payment towards certain heads on the pretext of admission fees and other fees," Singh said.   

As per norms, deemed to be universities cannot charge any fees towards a capitation fee or donation; any amount other than charges for admission which has been declared by it in the prospectus for admission against any such seat and on the website of the institution and any payment without a proper receipt in writing issued for such payment to the student concerned admitted in such an institution.