Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Madhusudan Law University at Cuttack has been recognised as a State-run varsity by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956 and is now empowered to award degrees as specified by the UGC under section 22 of the UGC Act by conducting courses through its own departments, its constituent and affiliated colleges in regular mode.
According to the official reports, in a letter to the registrar of the university, the UGC has stated that the Madhusudan Law University shall ensure that no off-campus study centres are opened beyond its territorial jurisdiction as stipulated in the Act. Besides, no programmes can be offered by the university through franchising arrangements with private institutions.
No open and distance learning programmes and online programmes can also be started without the prior recognition of UGC. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed via Twitter that the Central government is committed to transforming the higher education landscape as per the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and in line with the NEP.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Kamal Jeet Singh stated that the next step for the university would be to apply for inclusion under section 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956 which makes a higher education institution eligible to receive Central grants for research and development. He also informed that the academic council of the law university had on October 7 approved plans to offer PhD courses and set up a chair on Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das. However, the VC said, the biggest roadblock for expansion plans is the lack of infrastructure.
