Jaipur, Feb. 14 -- The Rajasthan assembly was informed on Friday that the state government has initiated the process of setting up a regulatory commission to curb irregularities and fraudulent practices in private higher education institutions. Deputy chief minister and higher education minister Prem Chand Bairwa said the proposed body aims to strengthen oversight, prevent fake degree rackets and ensure transparency in the functioning of private universities across Rajasthan. Responding to supplementary questions raised by MLA Kalicharan Saraf during Question Hour, Bairwa said complaints of fake degrees and administrative irregularities had led the government to order probes against 10 private universities. He added that action had already been taken against several institutions, including the liquidation of OPJS University on January 7, 2026, after serious allegations surfaced. The Divisional Commissioner of Bikaner has been appointed as administrator, while staff members and alleged middlemen involved in irregularities have been arrested and sent to jail. Similar arrests were also made in connection with fraud cases at Mewar University. The minister said investigations into other private universities were ongoing, while the government was simultaneously working on a new regulatory framework. A draft proposal for the commission will soon be prepared and submitted to the Law Department for examination. He noted that the new regulatory structure would incorporate provisions aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 to enhance accountability and academic standards. Bairwa informed the House that a new committee had been constituted to further strengthen the provisions of the proposed Rajasthan Private Higher Education Institutions Regulatory Authority Bill and prepare a revised draft. He added that guidelines governing the establishment and functioning of private universities were also being revised at the departmental level. According to the minister, Rajasthan currently has 53 private universities in operation. Among the institutions under scrutiny for alleged irregularities are Singhania University, Sunrise University, Shridhar University, Madhav University, Raffles University, Nirwan University, University of Technology Jaipur and JJT University. Comprehensive investigations into several universities have been recommended through the Special Operations Group following irregularities found in recruitment examinations. He also informed the assembly that public notices and orders were issued in May and October 2024 to tighten monitoring of private universities. He emphasised that the formation of the regulatory commission is a policy decision aimed at establishing effective oversight and preventing future fraud in higher education institutions....