– Reshma Ravishanker

Mount Carmel College (MCC), Autonomous, Bengaluru, has created history by being granted Deemed-to-be University status and will now be known as Mount Carmel Deemed to be University.

The official communication confirming the status was received by MCC on Wednesday evening, and the institution formally announced the development on Thursday. With this milestone, MCC has also become the world’s first Carmelite multidisciplinary university owned and managed by Women Religious of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Teresa.

Prof George Lekha, Principal of Mount Carmel Deemed to be University, said the new status would provide the institution with greater autonomy and independence in academic and administrative matters. “It is a historic moment that we have been working towards for 78 years now. To us, it comes as a great push. We can now introduce new age programmes based on industry needs. We are also expanding to a bigger campus off Devanahalli where 200 acres land has been identified. We have submitted a detailed report to the UGC on short-term (5-year), mid-term (10-year) and long-term (15-year) vision,” she said.

The deemed university status is expected to significantly enhance the institution’s ability to design innovative academic programmes, strengthen research initiatives, and respond more effectively to emerging industry requirements. The move also aligns with MCC’s long-term vision of expanding its academic footprint and creating a future-ready multidisciplinary learning ecosystem.

However, Lekha clarified that there would be no major changes to the curriculum or academic offerings during the current academic year, as classes had already commenced two days ago.

Switch to NEP

With the grant of deemed-to-be university status, Mount Carmel Deemed to be University will transition from the State Education Policy framework to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Among the key reforms to be introduced under the NEP framework is the replacement of the traditional three-year undergraduate degree structure with flexible Four-Year Undergraduate Programmes (FYUPs). The university will also implement the multiple entry and exit system, enabling students to pause their studies at different stages and receive formal certification corresponding to the credits earned.

“All first-year students who have joined from the present academic year will be considered as students of the deemed to be university while the second and third-year students will continue under the college. First year students will have four-year UG programmes option but they can always choose to exit in the third year,” Lekha said.

The transition is expected to offer students greater flexibility in designing their academic pathways while also creating opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, skill development, and enhanced employability in line with the objectives of NEP 2020.

History

Founded in 1948 it is one of Bengaluru’s most prestigious higher education institutions that has evolved from a women’s college into a leading autonomous institution known for academic excellence, research, innovation, and holistic education.

With a strong legacy of empowering women through education, MCC has consistently expanded its academic offerings across the arts, science, commerce, management, media, and technology disciplines. MCC has been ranked  India’s #1 private autonomous college in the EW India Higher Education Rankings 2026-27.

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