The University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted recognition to Bihar's first sports university located in Rajgir in Nalanda district. This accreditation has now placed the university among the esteemed institutions recognised by the UGC under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956, reported PTI.

To recall, on August 29, 2024, National Sports Day, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the state’s first sports academy and Bihar Sports University, which will be part of the International Sports Complex at Rajgir.

According to a statement issued by the university on Saturday, January 11, “The Bihar Sports University, Rajgir, has got recognition from the UGC under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956. Now, the university is empowered to start academic courses that include undergraduate and other diploma/PG diploma courses in physical education and sports sciences.”

The university intends to start several academic programmes from the next academic session 2025–2026, the statement added.

"These programmes include: Diploma/Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Sports Coaching in two or three games; Diploma/Post Graduate Diploma in Yoga, four years Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) (subject to recognition from the National Council for Teacher Education)," it said.

Meanwhile, retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Shishir Sinha was recently appointed the first vice-chancellor of the Bihar Sports University by the state government, as stated by PTI.

As per the UGC guidelines, the university shall immediately appoint an Ombudsperson in accordance with the UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023, for redressal of grievances of students, preferably within two months of starting academic activities.