Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Gujarat University secures UGC Category II graded autonomy
This story is about Gujarat University, a big college in India.
A government group called the UGC gave it a special new status.
The status is called 'Category II graded autonomy.'
It is the first university run by the state of Gujarat to get this honour.
With this status, the university can start new classes and courses without asking for permission every time.
It can also hire teachers from other countries.
It can welcome more students from other countries too.
The education minister said this is a big achievement for the state.
He believes it will help students learn new skills and find good jobs.
Gujarat University has become the first state university in Gujarat to be granted Category II graded autonomy by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The UGC granted the status on July 29 under the UGC (Categorisation of Universities [Only] for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018.
The university can now introduce new academic programmes, departments, schools and specialised centres without prior UGC approval.
It may appoint foreign faculty and admit international students, each up to 20 per cent of its approved strength and sanctioned intake.
State Education Minister Dr Pradyuman Vaja congratulated the university, linking the milestone to the vision of Viksit Gujarat and Viksit Bharat by 2047.
- Who
- Gujarat University, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and State Education Minister Dr Pradyuman Vaja.
- What
- Gujarat University was granted UGC Category II graded autonomy, allowing new programmes, research and international collaboration with fewer regulatory approvals.
- When
- July 29, when the UGC granted the Category II status.
- Where
- Gujarat, India; the university is based in Ahmedabad.
- Why
- To allow the university to introduce new academic programmes, strengthen research and expand international collaboration with fewer regulatory approvals.
- Institution
- Gujarat University
- Status granted
- Category II graded autonomy
- Granting body
- University Grants Commission (UGC)
- Date of grant
- July 29
- Legal basis
- UGC (Categorisation of Universities [Only] for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018
- Foreign faculty cap
- Up to 20 per cent of approved faculty strength
- International student cap
- Up to 20 per cent of sanctioned student intake
- State Education Minister
- Dr Pradyuman Vaja