The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently amended regulations to allow autonomous and constituent colleges of state universities in India to seek deemed-to-be university status, pending approval from their respective state governments. This change, formalized in the University Grants Commission [Institutions Deemed to be Universities] Amendment Regulations, 2026, also permits these colleges to operate as off-campus centers for other deemed universities. A significant aspect of the amendment is the revision of accreditation requirements, which now allows institutions to qualify for deemed university status with valid National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation for three cycles, including the latest, rather than requiring a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.01 for three consecutive cycles. Additionally, deemed universities that receive 50% or more of their funding from government sources can continue to operate under their existing Memorandum of Association (MoA) for a specified period if they meet certain financial criteria. Currently, there are 146 deemed-to-be universities in India, which enjoy the academic privileges of a university, enhancing their specialized educational activities.