Media Release
Mangaluru, Jun 22: St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, has achieved a historic milestone by securing the prestigious Category-I status under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Graded Autonomy Regulations, placing the institution among an elite group of India's highest-performing higher educational universities. This recognition marks a defining moment in the university's illustrious 146-year journey of academic excellence, innovation, research, and nation-building.
With this achievement, St Aloysius becomes only the second deemed to be university in the state of Karnataka to be granted Category-I status by the UGC.
The recognition assumes greater significance considering the highly competitive landscape of Indian higher education. India currently has 1,292 universities, comprising 57 central universities, 521 state universities, 157 deemed to be universities, and 557 state private universities. Among the 157 deemed universities in the country, only 26 institutions have earned Category-I status, and among all 1,292 universities, only about 45 have earned this distinction, underscoring the exclusivity and prestige associated with the recognition.
Karnataka, widely regarded as one of India's leading educational hubs, is home to 17 deemed to be universities. Within this distinguished academic ecosystem, St Aloysius has emerged as one of the top two private institutions to be recognized with Category-I for achieving the highest standards of academic quality envisioned under the UGC's graded autonomy framework.
The Category-I recognition has been conferred based on the university's exceptional performance in quality assessment and accreditation. St Aloysius holds the coveted NAAC A++ grade with an outstanding CGPA of 3.67 on a four-point scale, reflecting excellence across all dimensions of higher education.
Founded in 1880 by the Jesuits, St Aloysius has consistently distinguished itself as one of India's premier educational institutions. The conferment of deemed to be university status by the Government of India in January 2024 further accelerated its transformation into a multidisciplinary, research-driven institution.
Over the years, the university has built an impressive reputation for its vibrant academic community, comprising distinguished faculty members, accomplished researchers, and an extensive global alumni network.
The conferment of Category-I status provides unprecedented academic and administrative autonomy. Under the UGC regulations, the university can now introduce new academic programmes, departments, schools, centres, diploma courses, and interdisciplinary initiatives without requiring prior approval from the UGC. This flexibility will allow St Aloysius to rapidly respond to emerging disciplines, industry requirements, and technological advancements.
The university can also establish constituent units and off-campus centres within its geographical jurisdiction without prior approval. Furthermore, it gains the freedom to establish research parks, incubation centres, innovation hubs, and entrepreneurship ecosystems to strengthen its technology transfer and industry-academia collaborations.
The regulations empower the university to recruit internationally renowned faculty members from globally ranked institutions up to 20 per cent over and above its sanctioned faculty strength. It also enhances the university's ability to attract international students by permitting admissions beyond the approved domestic intake.
Another significant benefit is the freedom to establish academic collaborations, joint research projects, and dual-degree programmes with leading international universities without prior UGC approval, provided they meet prescribed global ranking criteria.
Universities under this category are automatically deemed to be covered under Section 12B of the UGC Act and are exempted from several routine regulatory approvals and inspections, reflecting the national regulatory framework's trust in the institution's governance systems.
"As St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) celebrates this historic recognition, it renews its commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, promoting inclusive growth, and shaping future leaders. Guided by its rich Jesuit heritage and empowered by enhanced autonomy, the university looks forward to creating new benchmarks in higher education," a press release from the university stated.