Lucknow, Feb. 17 -- In a move to expand higher education, the state government on Monday passed the Uttar Pradesh State University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Uttar Pradesh State University (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the assembly. The bills were tabled by higher education minister Yogendra Upadhyay and passed by a majority. Under the amendment, Kashi Naresh Post Graduate College in Gyanpur, Bhadohi district, will be upgraded into a state university. The move will enable the affiliation of 23 nearby colleges and offer improved opportunities for higher education, research and innovation to thousands of students in the region. The minister said the decision marks a significant step towards developing Purvanchal as a new hub of higher education. Through the second amendment, the government has cleared the establishment of Swami Sukhdevanand University in Shahjahanpur by upgrading the educational units of Mumukshu Ashram Trust. Upadhyay said the trust has signed an MoU with the government, transferring its movable and immovable assets and other resources for the university's establishment. The new university will affiliate around 60 regional colleges, creating fresh opportunities for education and employment for local youth....