India’s University Grant Commission (UGC), is calling for official
accreditation for all Indian-based higher education institutions. The Indian Supreme Court just confirmed the findings of a search committee that found a profound
gap between the total number of higher education institutions (some 300 universities and 17 000 colleges)
and accredited bodies (140 / 3 000) in India. To the Western reader with some knowledge of the Indian higher education system, this will come as a surprise: it seems common knowledge that accreditation for universities in India is already mandatory by law. And it is true – however, only on paper. The reality is different.
The
grey zone, in which some private higher education institutions and many foreign providers operate, has grown outside of a clear legislative framework (see
University Grants Commission India (UGC)
Ministry of Human Resource Development, Higher Education, India 
