6 non-BJP ruled states demand withdrawal of UGC draft regulations
06 Feb 2025

Higher education ministers of six non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states have called for immediate withdrawal of the University Grants Commission (UGC) draft regulations.

The ministers from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand and Karnataka met in Bengaluru to discuss their grievances.

They unanimously agreed that "the UGC must engage in a collaborative consultative process with all the states" while formulating such rules.

UGC draft regulations undermine state autonomy: Ministers
State rights

The ministers slammed the draft UGC regulations for compromising state autonomy in the appointment of vice-chancellors to public universities.

They contended that the rules "do not envisage any role for the state governments" in such appointments, thus violating states' rights in a federal structure.

The proposed regulations recommend a three-member search-cum-selection committee for the same, headed by a governor's nominee and comprising members appointed by the UGC chairman and the university's apex body.

Ministers oppose non-academics as vice-chancellors, removal of API system
Academic concerns

The ministers also disapproved of provisions allowing non-academics to become vice-chancellors, arguing it could compromise academic integrity. They demanded the provisions be withdrawn.

Further, they opposed the removal of the Academic Performance Indicator (API) system over concerns of increased discretion in evaluations.

The conclave criticized the draft for favoring private institutions over public universities and expressed worries over contractual appointments for teaching staff.

Tamil Nadu minister criticizes diploma provision, governor's rejections
Diploma dispute

Tamil Nadu's Higher Education Minister Govi Cheziaan objected to a provision permitting students to receive certificates or diplomas after one or two years of study, terming it disrespectful to education.

He also pointed out the persistent issue of governors rejecting state-suggested vice-chancellor candidates.

The ministers unanimously opposed making National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provisions mandatory and punitive measures for non-compliance, saying such mandates are "against the spirit of autonomy of the states in a federal framework."