Pune: FTII Earns Deemed University Status; Empowered To Grant Degrees And Launch Research Programs

Pune, 24th April 2025: The prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), which has shaped generations of actors, directors, and technicians who have made significant contributions to Indian and global cinema, has now officially been granted the status of a “Deemed University.” The announcement was made by the Union Ministry of Education, transforming the iconic institute from a diploma-awarding institution into a full-fledged academic body with the authority to offer degree, research, post-doctoral, and innovative academic programs.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) processed the technical requirements to confer the distinction upon FTII under the “distinct” category of deemed universities. The upgrade is expected to enhance the institute’s global reputation and academic capabilities.

FTII, located on the grounds of the former Prabhat Studios and founded in the 1960s, has nurtured some of Indian cinema’s finest talent—ranging from veteran actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Jaya Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, and Shabana Azmi, to contemporary stars like Rajkummar Rao. Visionary filmmakers like Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, as well as Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, are among its notable alumni.

Under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, FTII was first declared a “Centre of Excellence” in 2014 by then Minister Prakash Javadekar. The journey toward its elevation to deemed university status formally began thereafter. Recently, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the institute, where he engaged with students and faculty to understand their views on the transition.

In July 2024, the UGC appointed an expert committee to review FTII’s proposal. Following its recommendations, the Education Ministry issued a Letter of Intent on the condition that certain benchmarks be met within three years. FTII submitted its compliance report on 17th January 2025, which was then reviewed and approved during the UGC’s 588th meeting on 13th March 2025. The official circular confirming FTII’s new status was released on 22nd April 2025.

Alongside FTII, the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata has also been granted deemed university status, broadening the academic scope of film education in India.