Parliament Question: Establishment of University Townships

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2576 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIVERSITY TOWNSHIPS 2576. SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has proposed to establish five university townships along major industrial and logistics corridors in the country; (b) if so, the details of States where such universities with township are proposed to come up, the time by which it is expected to be constructed along with the budget allocation made therefor; (c) whether any one of these five university township is proposed to be set up in West Bengal, if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether the Government is aware that Delhi University (DU) is facing a severe financial crisis with a projected deficit of Rs. 462.4 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year and despite of demand of higher budget, the Budget Estimates for financial year 2026-27 have been revised downward reflecting reduced Government grants, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) to (c): As announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, the Union Government aims to support States, in creating 5 University Townships in the vicinity of major industrial and logistic corridors. With the states participating in the initiative through a challenge-based process, a holistic higher education ecosystem through planned academic zones hosting multiple universities, colleges, research institutions, skill centres and residential complexes is envisaged to be created. (d): All Central Universities, including Delhi University, are statutory autonomous organisations established under the respective Central Acts of Parliament and governed by the provisions of the Acts and Statues, Ordinances made thereunder. The grant-in-aid to Central Universities has been increased more than 3 times from Rs. 5634.85 crore in FY 2014-15 to Rs. 16990.07 crore in FY 2025-26. As far as the Delhi University is concerned, the grant-in- aid has increased from Rs. 463.04 Crores in FY 2014-15 to Rs. 880 Crores in FY 2025-26. Delhi University has further informed that for the FY 2025-26, all expenditures have been with-in the sanctioned budgetary allocation and within available Internal Revenue Generation (IRG) of the University. *****