Unitary University:
* Establishment: A unitary university is established by a state or central act of the legislature. This means it's created through a specific law passed by the parliament or a state assembly.
* Governance: It has its own governing body, typically a senate or board of governors, defined by the establishing act. It enjoys significant autonomy in its academic and administrative matters.
* Authority: It has the power to award its own degrees, which are recognized throughout the country. Its degrees hold the same weight as those from other established universities.
* Regulation: It is regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in India (or equivalent regulatory bodies in other countries), but its establishment and functioning are primarily governed by the act that created it.
Deemed University (in India):
* Establishment: A deemed university is an institution that was originally a college or other educational institution but has been granted "deemed-to-be-university" status by the UGC under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. This is not through a legislative act like a unitary university but through an executive order.
* Governance: Similar to unitary universities, they have their own governing bodies, but their autonomy can be somewhat less than that of a unitary university, as their status is subject to UGC's regulations.
* Authority: They have the power to award their own degrees, which are recognized nationally. However, the recognition is dependent on maintaining the standards set by the UGC.
* Regulation: They are heavily regulated by the UGC. Their recognition can be withdrawn if they fail to meet the UGC's standards and guidelines. The UGC has more direct oversight and control over deemed universities compared to unitary universities.
In short: A unitary university is established by a formal legislative act, giving it inherent legal standing. A deemed university achieves its status through a designation by the UGC, making its existence and autonomy more contingent on the regulatory body. While both grant recognized degrees, the legal basis and level of autonomy differ significantly. The concept of a "deemed university" is largely specific to India and doesn't have a direct equivalent in most other countries.