The Sikkim Legislative Assembly, during its Budget Session 2025-26, passed three key university bills, sparking debates on the rapid expansion of private universities in the state.
On March 27, the Assembly approved the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Skill University Sikkim Bill, 2025; Sengol International University Bill, 2025; and Fusion University Sikkim Bill, 2025. With these additions, Sikkim now has 25 private universities, of which 13 are fully operational, while 12 are awaiting the Governor’s assent and land transfer approvals, according to Education Secretary Tashi Chopel.
While the government sees this as a step towards educational expansion, concerns have been raised by Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) leader Komal Chamling over the credibility of these institutions. She questioned how newly registered charitable trusts were being allowed to set up universities and alleged that some may be linked to organizations with questionable backgrounds.
Chamling also criticized the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) government, stating that it has approved 30 university bills in the past five to six years, potentially compromising academic quality. She further alleged that financial interests might be driving these approvals, as charitable trusts running universities are exempt from GST.
However, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) defended the initiative, emphasizing that establishing universities in every constituency would boost education, create jobs, and strengthen the local economy. His vision aims to decentralize higher education, ensuring students from all parts of Sikkim have access to quality institutions without migrating to other states.