The University Grants Commission (UGC) has accorded the 12(B) status to the Rama Devi Women’s University here. An official notification to this effect was issued to the university on Tuesday. “The name of Rama Devi Women’s University has been included in the list of universities under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956,” UGC Under Secretary Naresh Kumar Sharma informed the Registrar of the university in a letter. However, the UGC expressed dissatisfaction over shortage of faculties in the university as per the Act and suggested to the State’s premier women’s university to take initiative in this regard at the earliest to maintain faculty strength in all departments as per the UGC norms.

The UGC granted the 12(B) status to the university at its 551st General Council Meeting held on July 1 on the basis of the recommendations of its Standing Committee members and the report of the Expert Committee.The Rama Devi Women’s University had submitted a proposal to the UGC seeking 12(B) recommendation, following which a team of UGC Expert Committee members had visited the university on February 17 and 18, 2021 for its review.

The report was submitted to the UGC Standing Committee recommending for the status to the university.  The UGC panel has also asked the university to participate in the NIRF ranking and get NAAC accreditation at the earliest. With the 12(B) status from the UGC, the faculties of the university will get Central grants for undertaking various research and academic activities. Notably, in 2019, the Gangadhar Meher University in Sambalpur was granted the 12(B) status by the UGC.