Supreme Court Slams States, UTs for Delay in Private University Audit, Warns of Contempt
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The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed disappointment and frustration with several states and Union Territories for their lack of progress in auditing private universities, as ordered by the court two months ago. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice N V Anjaria's bench called out states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and others for failing to submit necessary information, despite the court's sweeping directions on November 20, 2025. The court was particularly irked by the Union government's secretary of higher education filing an affidavit instead of the cabinet secretary, as per the court's order. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that he would file an application to rectify the issue, saying 'education should not be an industry.' In a bid to ensure transparency, the court has ordered states and UTs to submit policies on admission and recruitment, as well as explain how the 'no profit, no loss' approach is being enforced. The court has also directed the chief secretaries of states that failed to appear to explain why contempt action should not be initiated. The matter will be taken up again on January 28. This development comes in the wake of a petition filed by a student of Amity University, who alleged harassment after seeking a correction in her college records. The court has expanded the petition's scope, issuing nationwide directions to states and UTs to collect information on the management and functioning of private universities.
