UP government approves three new private universities in Muzaffarnagar, Barabanki, and Mathura

The Uttar Pradesh government has taken two big steps to improve higher education in the state. The Cabinet has approved the creation of three new private universities and announced a fully funded international scholarship programme for meritorious students from low-income families to study in the United Kingdom.

State Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay said these decisions will help increase access to quality education and give talented students global learning opportunities. He called them a major move toward making higher education stronger and more inclusive in the state.

Three new universities to open in UP

The Cabinet has approved three private universities to be set up in Muzaffarnagar, Barabanki, and Mathura.

Vedant University, Muzaffarnagar
Vedant University will be built by the Lala Fatehchand Charitable Trust on 23.33 acres of land in Muzaffarnagar. This area is more than the 20-acre minimum required in urban areas. The proposal has already been cleared by the Higher Education Department and the State-Level Expert Committee. The trust has two years to complete all the formalities and start operations.

Bodhisattva University, Barabanki
Bodhisattva University in Barabanki has been given approval under the Uttar Pradesh Private University (Third Amendment) Act. The university has met all regulatory requirements, including having the required land. It is now allowed to begin academic activities.

KD University, Mathura
KD University in Mathura is already known for running a dental college. Now, it has been approved to become a full university. With over 50 acres of land—more than double the required minimum—it has met all conditions and can begin its academic programmes.

Fully funded UK scholarship for meritorious students

The Cabinet has also approved an international scholarship scheme named the "Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Shivlinga Uttar Pradesh State Scholarship Scheme". The scheme honours former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and is being launched in collaboration with the British government.

The British Council and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will work with the UP government to select students. The scholarship will cover a fully funded one-year master's degree at some of the most prestigious universities in the UK.

Some of the universities covered under the scheme are:

• University of Oxford

• London School of Economics (LSE)

• Imperial College London

• King’s College London

Key benefits of the scholarship include:

• Full coverage of tuition, exam, and research fees.

• Payment of living expenses during the course.

• Economy-class airfare for travel to and from the UK.

• Joint selection process by the UP government and FCDO representatives.

The programme will run for three academic years: 2025–26, 2026–27, and 2027–28. It may be renewed until March 2028. A budget for the scheme has already been included in the 2025–26 financial year.

Minister Upadhyay said the goal is to help talented students from poor families get access to world-class education. "These steps mark a new chapter for higher education in Uttar Pradesh, creating opportunities both within the state and abroad for our brightest minds," he said.

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