First time,the blacklist break-up: In TN alone,16 varsities have 53,500 students

But detailed state-wise figures,for the first time,show that the state where the maximum number of students could be affected is Tamil Nadu — 53,550 students in 16 universities likely to be derecognised.

Next on the list is Rajasthan. Though it has just three deemed-to-be universities which may have this status withdrawn,as many as 45,554 students are likely to be affected. Similarly,in Maharashtra,three universities in the dock account for 41,000 students.

This tabulation by the HRD Ministry gives the break-up of student strength in universities elsewhere which run the risk of derecognition: 12,000 students in Karnataka; 16,532 in Haryana; 7,495 in Uttar Pradesh; 7,316 in Orissa; 6,938 in Uttarakhand;

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First time,the blacklist break-up: In TN alone,16 varsities have 53,500 students

1,803 in Gujarat; 1,280 in Andhra Pradesh; 560 in Bihar; and,135 in Delhi.

The HRD Ministry has told Parliament that steps will be taken to protect the interest of affected students and a task force on the issue has already submitted a plan of action for the same.

The committee,instituted by the Ministry last year to review 130 deemed-to-be universities,recently submitted its report stating that as many as 44 deemed varsities did not deserve to continue with that status.

In respect of these 44 institutions,the Review Committee had found family controlled management architecture,unrelated academic programmes and deviation from the original mandate of grant of deemed to be university status; lack of evidence of quality research; and that freedom and flexibility in matters of admission,intake capacity,programmes and fee structure had not been exercised in a responsible manner,the HRD Ministry told Lok Sabha.