Understanding the CAG Performance Audit on Delhi's Public Universities
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, India's supreme audit institution responsible for auditing government expenditures and performance, released Report No. 4 of 2025 titled 'Performance Audit on Functioning of Universities of GNCTD'. Tabled in the Delhi Legislative Assembly on March 23, 2026, the report examines the operations of public universities under the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) from April 2018 to March 2023. It highlights significant performance gaps that undermine the delivery of quality higher education in the national capital.
This audit comes at a critical time for Indian higher education, where the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes accreditation, research, and infrastructure to achieve global standards. Delhi, as India's political and educational hub, hosts several prominent public universities, yet the report reveals systemic deficiencies affecting students, faculty, and the overall ecosystem.
Universities Under Scrutiny: Scope and Selection
The audit focused on three key universities selected for detailed examination: Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), an affiliating university offering diverse programs; Delhi Technological University (DTU), a technical powerhouse; and Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU), specialized in pharmacy and related fields. GGSIPU's 14 affiliated colleges were also sampled using statistical random sampling via IDEA software.
These institutions represent GNCTD's efforts in higher and technical education, serving thousands of students. Eleven universities fall under GNCTD, but two (Delhi Sports University and Delhi Teachers’ University) were nascent and not operational during the audit period. The selection allowed auditors to assess policy implementation, academic delivery, and resource management across general, technical, and specialized streams.
Absence of Strategic Planning and Policies
A foundational issue flagged is the lack of comprehensive, actionable policies by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) and Directorate of Training and Technical Education (DTTE). Despite vision statements, no systematic frameworks existed to promote higher education. Policy guidelines, last revised pre-2018, remained unchanged until 2022-23, leading to a 16-year delay in constituting the Admission Regulatory Committee (ARC) until April 2023.
Universities lacked long-term, medium-term, or annual plans. DTU's Strategic Plan 2019-30 outlined long-term goals but omitted implementation roadmaps. This policy vacuum resulted in under-utilization of seats: 14-32% in GGSIPU (up to 100% in 10 programs), 8-10% UG and 17-32% PG in DTU, and 11-24% overall in DPSRU (42-100% in nine programs). Such gaps hinder enrollment targets and resource efficiency.
Accreditation Lapses: Operating Without Benchmarks
Mandatory accreditations by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and National Board of Accreditation (NBA) were ignored for years, violating University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) norms. GGSIPU operated without either from 2018-2023; DTU lacked NAAC (2015-2019) and NBA for 24 programs (2018-2023); DPSRU had none from 2020-2023.
Affiliated colleges under GGSIPU (50 without NAAC, 102 programs without NBA) continued despite lapses. The Joint Assessment Committee (JAC) process was flawed, granting favorable grades amid infrastructure and faculty deficits, with delays at every stage—up to nine months beyond the August 1 deadline. DPSRU still lacks UGC Section 12B status, blocking central funding.Read the full CAG report here.
Acute Faculty Shortages Hampering Teaching Quality
Teaching faculty shortages were stark: 38.77-44.84% in GGSIPU, 55-60% in DTU (75% of professor/associate professor posts vacant), and 21.77-54.43% in DPSRU. Non-teaching staff deficits ranged 34-67%, technical staff 39-80%. Recruitment delays exceeded UGC's six-month norm—DTU took 16 months for assistant professors; GGSIPU filled only 32/144 teaching posts by late 2023.
- Key posts like registrars and controllers managed by retired consultants on ad-hoc basis.
- Irregular hires without sanctioned posts or ineligible consultants (₹19.38 lakh excess in GGSIPU).
- Impact: Overburdened faculty, poor student-teacher ratios in affiliated colleges (25% lacked adequate faculty).
This crisis exacerbates India's broader higher education faculty crunch, where NEP 2020 calls for PhD-qualified teachers.
Infrastructure Deficiencies: Cramped and Underutilized
Infrastructure fell short across campuses. Seating deficits: 26% at GGSIPU Dwarka (2,973 seats for 4,017 students), 41% at DTU Rohini (8,280 for 13,908), 59% at DPSRU (1,157 for 2,800). Non-functional facilities included labs, animal houses, swimming pools, and CCTV (70/739 non-working at DTU). Procurement violations led to sub-standard equipment (₹4.45 crore at DPSRU).
| University/Campus | Seating Capacity Deficit |
|---|---|
| GGSIPU Dwarka | 26% |
| DTU Rohini | 41% |
| DPSRU | 59% |
Works delays, like DTU Rohini Phase-II (22 months), compounded issues. Hygiene, safety hazards (seepage, broken walls), and PwD facility absences in 10/12 sampled colleges were noted.
Academic Delays and Outdated Curricula
Syllabi revisions lagged UGC's three-year cycle: GGSIPU had programs unchanged for 11 years; 47% affiliated college programs outdated; DTU 51% PG programs; DPSRU 34%. Result delays affected 54% GGSIPU exams (up to 8 months), DTU up to 110 days, DPSRU over 200 days early on. Degree issuance took 7 months in GGSIPU cases.
Research was weak: GGSIPU Research Council inactive, no patent monetization (37 awarded); DTU no projects 2020-23; DPSRU low h-index. Placements varied: DTU 53-64%, but 37-43% unplaced/not pursuing higher ed; DPSRU UG 58-81%.
Financial Mismanagement and Losses
Financial irregularities included ₹25.59 crore avoidable tax on underutilized scholarship funds (DHESF/DKDF), ₹3.04 crore unspent RUSA (no MoU), ₹2.11 crore interest loss from delayed investments, ₹4.66 crore unavailed water rebates. DKDF grants (₹43.76 crore) lacked utilization certificates.CAG press release
CPF investments violated norms, unclaimed deposits piled up (₹12.47 crore total). Self-financed colleges ignored 7th Pay Commission.
Weak Internal Controls and Quality Assurance
Internal Quality Assurance Cells (IQAC) skipped meetings; no regular academic/admin audits. Boards of Studies dysfunctional, MIS systems partial (e.g., DTU's ₹72 lakh CUMS only for exams). Physical stock verifications irregular, missing sponsored assets (₹4.38 crore GGSIPU).
Implications for Students and Higher Education in Delhi
These gaps compromise student outcomes, employability, and Delhi's status as an education hub. Low placements, poor research, and infra issues deter talent amid NEP goals. Nationally, it mirrors challenges in state universities versus central ones like DU/JNU.
Responses, Recommendations, and Path Forward
Universities acknowledged issues; post-audit actions include accreditations, recruitments (GGSIPU filling posts), ERP like Samarth. CAG recommends policy formulation, timelines for accreditation/recruitment, research roadmaps, audits.
Solutions: Fast-track hires via AcademicJobs.com, NEP-aligned reforms, public-private partnerships for infra. Delhi govt could leverage 2026-27 budget for targeted investments.University World News analysis
- Implement MoUs for schemes like RUSA.
- Regular IQAC and audits.
- Faculty development programs.
Stakeholders must act swiftly to bridge these gaps, ensuring Delhi universities contribute to Viksit Bharat 2047.
