January 3, 2026

TOP HIGHER EDUCATION NEWS – INDIA

Date: January 3, 2026 | Coverage: India
Higher Education Desk

1️⃣ UGC Orders Probe Into Dharamshala College Student Death

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the death of a 19-year-old student, Pallavi, at Dharamshala Government Degree College in Himachal Pradesh.

Three senior students have been charged under allegations of ragging and sexual harassment, while a professor has been booked for alleged physical assault. The college administration has claimed that the student was not formally enrolled after failing three subjects, a statement that has triggered nationwide concern and scrutiny.

UGC has constituted an independent investigation committee to examine institutional accountability, student safety mechanisms, and compliance with anti-ragging norms.

2️⃣ NCERT Set for Deemed-to-be-University Status by End-January

The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is expected to receive deemed-to-be-university status within the next 15–20 days.

The proposal, pending UGC clearance since its announcement in 2023, will allow NCERT to launch postgraduate and research programmes while retaining its core focus on school education, curriculum development, and teacher training.

3️⃣ Gujarat Forms 13-Member Panel to Review Public Universities Act

The Gujarat government has constituted a 13-member expert committee to review the Gujarat Public Universities Act, 2020.

The panel will assess governance structures, institutional autonomy, appointment processes, and academic standards across state public universities, with recommendations expected to influence future higher education reforms in Gujarat.

4️⃣ IIT Guwahati GATE 2026 Admit Cards Expected Soon

IIT Guwahati is expected to release the GATE 2026 admit cards shortly on the official portal gate2026.iitg.ac.in.

The release follows a brief postponement due to technical preparations. GATE remains a critical national examination for admission into MTech, ME, and PhD programmes across IITs, NITs, and premier engineering institutions.

5️⃣ President Murmu Launches AI Skilling Initiative (SOAR)

President Droupadi Murmu has launched the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative, with continued impact across higher education institutions.

The programme focuses on integrating artificial intelligence into engineering and university curricula, aiming to enhance faculty training, student employability, and India’s global competitiveness in AI-driven sectors.

6️⃣ Himachal Ragging Case Controversy Escalates

The Dharamshala college case has intensified as the administration maintains that the deceased student was not officially enrolled, a claim strongly disputed by the victim’s family.

Student organisations, including ABVP, have demanded a transparent and time-bound investigation, alleging administrative negligence and delayed police action.

7️⃣ Higher Education Reforms Debate Intensifies

Discussions around the proposed Vikasit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill continue at the national level.

The bill proposes a single higher education regulator to replace bodies such as UGC, AICTE, and NCTE. While supporters cite efficiency and standardisation, critics raise concerns over excessive centralisation and reduced university autonomy.