Building the Future: Types of Universities Edupreneurs Can Establish and Their Impact

Introduction

In the evolving landscape of higher education in India, a new breed of visionaries is shaping the future, that’s Edupreneurs. These are entrepreneurs who channel their resources, expertise, and creativity into building educational institutions that go beyond traditional frameworks.

With the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 driving reforms and global trends like cross-border online learning and multidisciplinary research hubs gaining traction, India’s university ecosystem is poised for transformation. This blog explores types of universities in India, both UGC-recognised and NEP-enabled models, and examines the lasting impact of edupreneurs’ education on socio-economic progress and India’s innovation ecosystem.
 

Formal Classifications of Universities in India

(UGC-Recognised)

Under the UGC Act, universities in India fall into distinct legal categories, each with specific governance models, funding structures, and degree-granting powers. Understanding these is crucial for anyone planning to start a private university in India.

While many of these categories embrace modern online learning and skill-focused curricula, a significant portion still follows the traditional brick-and-mortar model, with on-campus infrastructure, broad multidisciplinary programmes, and legacy-based systems.

1. Central Universities

• Established by an Act of Parliament and funded by the Central Government.
• Examples: University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

2. State Universities

• Set up by state legislatures and are primarily funded by state governments.
• Examples: University of Mumbai, University of Madras.

3. Deemed-to-be Universities

• Institutions recognised for excellence in specific fields by the UGC under Section 3 of the UGC Act.
• Land requirements vary—approximately 10 acres in urban areas and up to 25 acres in rural settings. (Latest UGC guidelines)
• Examples: Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Manipal Academy

4. Private Universities

• Established through state legislation, privately funded, and board-governed, but compliant with UGC guidelines.
• These often follow the traditional campus-based format, offering comprehensive facilities such as libraries, laboratories, and student residences, while also modernising with tech-enabled learning.
• Examples: Ashoka University, O.P. Jindal Global University.

5. Institutes of National Importance

• Declared by Parliament for their role in developing specialised areas of knowledge.
• Examples: IIT Bombay, NIT Trichy, AIIMS Delhi.

6. Autonomous Colleges

• Affiliated with universities but independently design curricula and assessments.

Data Snapshot (AISHE 2022–23):

• 1,113 universities in India: 54 Central, 464 State, 146 Deemed, 421 Private.
• Over 43,000 colleges and 11,000 standalone institutions.

Regulatory Landscape: Edupreneurs must navigate approvals from UGC, AICTE, NAAC, and state authorities. Membership in AIU is also vital for degree recognition and equivalence.

New & Emerging Models Enabled by NEP 2020

NEP 2020 opens the door to innovation university India models, allowing Edupreneurs to embed flexibility, technology, and purpose, now further bolstered by NRF (ANRF) mechanisms.

1. Skill Universities

• Offer vocational and skill-based programmes backed by apprenticeships and job-ready certifications.
• Aligned with MSMEs, corporates, and schemes like PMKVY, these initiatives are critical in closing employability gaps.
• Example: Haryana Vishwakarma Skill University.

2. Research-Intensive Institutions

• Focus on frontier R&D in sciences, engineering, and social disciplines.
• Integrate tech-driven courses in AI, ML, data science, etc.
• ANRF, via its Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PM ECRG), offering grants up to ₹60 lakh plus overheads for three years, is now a key enabler for building research talent and faculty capacity.
• ANRF’s Partners for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) grants, like the ₹100 crores awarded to IIT Indore for the SAKSHAM network, support institutions to lead and scale research collaborations across themes like sustainability, healthcare, and materials science.  These initiatives also help universities strengthen NAAC accreditation India readiness through quality research output.

3. Innovation-Driven & Vertical Universities

• Specialise in specific domains, such as the proposed Vertical University in Mumbai for urban infrastructure and sustainability, these NEP 2020 universities address niche societal needs.
• Embed niche and purpose-driven programmes in sustainability, entrepreneurship, sports sciences, and the arts to meet emerging societal needs.

4. Open & Distance Learning (ODL) Universities

• Deliver flexible education via online platforms and study materials (e.g., IGNOU).
• Evolving into online university India models with AI-based personalisation, cloud labs, and adaptive learning environments.

Hybrid Models in Practice: Many new institutions are combining the best of different types of universities in India, traditional campus delivery, online programmes, and vocational training. This approach fosters flexible, modular, and project-based curricula to serve learners of all ages and promote lifelong learning.

Challenges for Edupreneurs

Launching a university in India offers opportunities, but comes with substantial hurdles:

• Regulatory Compliance
  Navigating approvals from UGC, AICTE, and securing NAAC accreditation within 5–7 years is complex, especially with evolving policies.
• Capital & Infrastructure Demands
  Institutions must meet UGC land norms (10 acres urban, up to 25 acres rural) and invest heavily in academic and residential infrastructure. Solution: Adopt phased development and explore public-private partnerships to ease capital strain.
• Credibility & Market Positioning
  A new institution must work hard to gain the trust of students, parents, faculty, and industry partners. In an increasingly competitive education sector, balancing innovation with established academic rigour is essential for building a lasting reputation.
• Talent Acquisition & Retention
  Attracting experienced faculty, especially in niche and high-demand fields, can be challenging. Institutions offering ANRF grants like the PM ECRG can better attract research-oriented faculty.
• Technology Integration & Sustainability: Ensuring IT infrastructure, smart classrooms, and green campuses enhances costs and complexity, but is vital for long-term impact.

The Broader Impact of Edupreneurial Institutions

Edupreneur-led universities are not just centres of learning; they are catalysts for social, economic, and national transformation. Their influence extends far beyond campus walls, shaping communities, industries, and the country’s future.

• Driving National Agendas: By embracing digital transformation and cutting-edge pedagogy, these institutions directly contribute to national initiatives such as Digital India and the India Vision 2047 goals, equipping students with future-ready skills and fostering a culture of innovation.
• Closing Skill Gaps: Through robust skill-based, vocational, and entrepreneurial programmes, they address industry requirements, making graduates more employable and bridging the gap between academia and real-world demands.
• Fostering Innovation Ecosystems: Participation in ANRF-PAIR networks creates regional hubs for research and enterprise.
• Boosting Local Economies & Literacy: Such institutions drive employment, improve local services, and increase educational access in semi-urban and rural regions.
• Knowledge Leadership Access: With ANRF’s Prime Minister Professorship programme (e.g., Bangalore University’s nodal role supporting professorships with ₹30L fellowship, ₹24L research grant, ₹1L overhead each year), Edupreneurs can foster mentorship and elevate research even in underserved universities.

Case in point: Institutions like MIT World Peace University, Pune, demonstrate how strategic vision, compliance with regulatory frameworks, and an unwavering focus on innovation can coexist to produce globally recognised graduates while uplifting entire communities.

Conclusion

The future of higher education in India is brimming with possibility. From traditional universities to innovative university India models, and from skill university India initiatives to vocational university India pathways, the landscape is evolving faster than ever, driven by NEP 2020 university reforms and supported by upcoming NRF funding.

Edupreneurs who align with regulatory frameworks, secure research funding, and adapt to the types of universities in India emerging in the NEP era will not just confer degrees; they will ignite innovation, shape industries, and empower communities.

If you are ready to pioneer the next wave of transformative NEP 2020 universities, now is the time to act. Build an institution that inspires, innovates, and impacts, because the next chapter of India’s education revolution is waiting for visionaries like you.

Take the first step today with Eduprogress, your partner in building future-ready universities, equipped with expertise, compliance tools, and strategic guidance.