India, April 30 -- The higher and technical education department on Wednesday constituted a high-level committee to examine the feasibility and framework for converting non-government aided colleges into private universities, as part of a broader policy review aimed at restructuring higher education in the state.

The committee has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive report on academic, administrative, financial, and legal aspects of such conversions. It will also study relevant provisions under the Maharashtra Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2023 and the rules notified in 2024.

The panel will be chaired by former vice-chairman of the University Grants Commission Bhushan Patwardhan. Senior officials from t...