Tightening the noose, UGC has come out with a notification making accreditation mandatory for all higher educational institutes, non-compliance of which can result in derecognition.

All higher educational institutions should get accredited by the accreditation agency after passing out of two batches or six years, whichever is earlier, the notification said.

It said every higher educational institution, which has completed six years of existence or two batches having passed out, whichever is earlier, shall apply within six months from the date of coming into force of these regulations.

However, all the technical educational institutions recognised by the AICTE will be exempted from the new norms.The body is also set up with its own notification.

The accreditation will be valid for five years and it shall be mandatory for each accredited higher educational institution to apply for re-accreditation six months before the expiry of the five year period.

The development comes as the National Accreditation Regulatory Authority (NARA) bill is hanging fire for the last two years, forcing the HRD Ministry to make accreditation mandatory through an executive order.

The notification calls for stringent penal provisions including repeal of the notification in respect of such higher educational institution from the list of Higher Educational institutions recognised under UGC Act.

Non compliance could also lead to withholding of all grants, declaring such higher educational institution to be ineligible for consideration for any assistance under any of the general or special assistance programmes of UGC.

It could also include furnishing general information of the public, that the higher educational institution is not an accredited institution, and cautioning potential candidates seeking admission.

Any dispute arising out of the implementation of these regulations will be discussed and resolved by UGC whose decision shall be final and binding.