New Delhi, April 24 -- The University Grants Commission (UGC) has allowed autonomous and constituent colleges of state universities to apply for deemed-to-be university status, subject to permission from the respective state government.

The amendment, notified in the April 21 Gazette notification, also allows colleges to become off-campus centres of another deemed university or university.

The changes have been formalised through a Gazette notification titled University Grants Commission [Institutions Deemed to be Universities] Amendment Regulations, 2026.

According to the notification, "Universities established under clause (f) of section 2 of the Act or a constituent unit of a University may also apply to become an institution deemed...