The Maharashtra government on Friday granted another extension to the committee reviewing the academic and administrative functioning of private universities in the state, giving it six more months until June 18 this year to submit its final report. The committee, which was originally constituted on July 19 last year was initially given three months to complete its work. However, due to multiple delays, including the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections in November, it has now received three successive deadline extensions. 

The committee had been tasked with visiting private universities, holding discussions with university officials, and reviewing aspects related to administration, academics, and finances. After its initial three-month period, the government granted the first extension on September 16 for another three months, which expired on December 18. With MCC in place during the assembly elections, its chairperson formally requested additional time, leading to the deadline now being pushed to June 18.  

The extension has been announced through a government resolution issued by the Higher and Technical Education Department, which has been formally approved by the Governor. 

 The directive has been circulated to key officials, including the Minister and Minister of State for Higher and Technical Education, the Additional Chief Secretary of the department, and the committee’s chairperson, Shrikant Patil. Other officials, including the Directors of Technical and Higher Education, the Accountant General, and the Director of Accounts and Treasury, have also been notified.  

With this third extension, the committee now has additional time to ensure a thorough review of private universities’ academic and administrative operations, with its final report expected to inform future policy decisions in the sector.