HPNLU, Shimla Secures Prestigious Recognition under Section 12-B of the UGC Act, 1956
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Shimla, February 12, 2025:
Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla, under the able leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, Vice-Chancellor of HPNLU, has achieved a significant milestone in its journey of academic excellence and national recognition. The University has been granted inclusion under Section 12-B of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956, a privilege awarded to only a select group of universities in the country.
This achievement is a testament to the university’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality legal education, fostering innovation, and achieving academic distinction. Being included under Section 12-B of the UGC Act positions HPNLU among the few National Law Universities (NLUs) to receive this prestigious recognition, marking an important chapter in the university’s history.
The UGC Act, 1956, is a landmark legislation that governs the standards of higher education institutions in India and ensures they maintain the highest academic and administrative practices. The Act confers upon the University Grants Commission (UGC) the responsibility to coordinate, determine, and maintain the standards of university education across the country.
Section 12-B of the UGC Act, 1956, specifically deals with the recognition of universities for receiving financial support from the UGC. Under this provision, universities that meet the prescribed standards of teaching, research, infrastructure, and overall educational outcomes are granted inclusion. Recognition under Section 12-B is a crucial step in ensuring that the university is eligible to receive financial aid from the UGC for the development of its educational programs, research activities, and infrastructure development. The universities included under this section are eligible to apply for various grants and financial support from the UGC to foster research, infrastructure, and faculty development, which ultimately strengthens their academic resources and pedagogical approaches. This recognition also plays a vital role in attracting scholars, researchers, and students from across the nation and abroad, as it enhances the university’s national and international visibility and credibility.
HPNLU, Shimla, has also applied for the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking, which further emphasizes its growing stature among higher educational institutions in India.
This recognition under Section 12-B of the UGC Act further enhances the prestige of HPNLU, Shimla, and underscores the university’s growing prominence as a leading center for legal education in India. With this status, HPNLU will be able to enhance its research capabilities, provide better infrastructure, and expand its academic offerings, benefiting not only the university community but also the larger legal ecosystem.
It is also noteworthy that HPNLU now one of the few NLUs to receive this prestigious recognition, joining a select group of about three other universities in the state of Himachal Pradesh, out of approximately 25 universities in the state, that have achieved this feat. As a university of national character established by the state of Himachal Pradesh, this recognition marks a significant milestone in its academic journey.
Prof. (Dr.) Priti Saxena, Vice-Chancellor of HPNLU, congratulated the entire university community on this remarkable achievement. She stated that this recognition is a reflection of the collective dedication of faculty, staff, and students, and serves as a stepping stone toward greater academic and research excellence.
With this recognition, HPNLU, Shimla, is poised to embark on the next phase of its academic journey, where it will continue to build upon its core values of academic integrity, quality education, and research-driven excellence. The university aims to further strengthen its collaborations with leading national and international institutions, expand its faculty development initiatives, and ensure that its graduates are well-prepared to face the ever-evolving demands of the legal profession.
The future of HPNLU, Shimla, shines brightly with this recognition, and the university is committed to nurturing the leaders and innovators of tomorrow’s legal world.
