The Supreme Court of India has taken a decisive step: it has ordered a nationwide audit of all private, non-government and deemed universities across the country. What began as a single student’s grievance against Amity University has now transformed into a sweeping inquiry that could reshape how private higher education operates in India. 

At the heart of this move is a young woman, who after legally changing her name and submitting all required documents found that the university refused to update her records. She claimed she was barred from classes, prevented from sitting for exams, and even taunted for changing her name to one reflecting her religion. When repeated complaints to regulators failed, she moved to the Supreme Court.

Rather than treat this as an isolated dispute, the Court viewed it as symptomatic of deeper, systemic issues. A bench led by Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N. V. Anjaria directed the Centre, every State and Union Territory, and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to file comprehensive, personally-affirmed affidavits detailing how each private university was established, what legal basis allows their functioning, and what benefits such as land allotments or administrative concessions were granted to them. 

Further, the Court wants full disclosure of who controls and manages these institutions, how their governing bodies are constituted, how admissions and faculty recruitment are handled, whether they truly operate on a “no profit, no loss” basis, and whether there are working grievance-redressal mechanisms for students and staff. The affidavits must be affirmed by top officials  including Cabinet Secretary for the Centre, Chief Secretaries of states/UTs, and the UGC Chairperson underscoring the seriousness of the inquiry. 

The next hearing is scheduled for 8 January 2026. For many students, parents, educators and staff of private universities, this could mark the beginning of a new era one where transparency, accountability and fairness are no longer optional, but mandated.