TN CM MK Stalin Moves Resolution In Assembly To Withdraw UGC’s Draft Regulations On VC Appointments – News18

Last Updated:January 09, 2025, 14:04 IST

Tamil Nadu has adopted a resolution in the Assembly for withdrawal of the UGC’s newly released draft guidelines on VC appointments.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has moved a resolution in the Assembly to withdraw the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) newly released draft guidelines, claiming that they would undermine the state’s higher education autonomy and harm students’ futures in Tamil Nadu.

Stalin criticised the BJP-led Union Government for attempting to diminish the rights of democratically-elected state governments. He also accused the government of undermining the state’s power over education, especially in light of ongoing tensions between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor R N Ravi regarding the appointment of Vice-Chancellors for state universities.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the Governor had insisted on including a UGC representative in the VC search panel, a suggestion which the state government had rejected. Stalin said that this was neither a legal nor a traditional practice.

The resolution stated that the new guidelines could negatively affect Tamil Nadu’s higher education system, which is based on principles of social justice. It argued that the guidelines would harm the future of the state’s youth and called for their immediate withdrawal.

Stalin had earlier described the new UGC rules as a “direct assault on federalism and state rights.”

The draft guidelines have also faced criticism in other states, with Kerala and Karnataka governments raising similar concerns.

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Draft Aligns with Global Trends, Says UGC Chairman Amid Controversy

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday released the draft of the University Grants Commission (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025.

The draft guidelines outline the chancellor’s role as chairperson of a three-member search and selection panel for Vice-Chancellor (VC) appointments and expand VC eligibility to include non-academics. The University Grants Commission (UGC) is open to receiving feedback on the draft from stakeholders until February 5.

UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar addressed concerns about the increased influence of governors in VC appointments, stating that the new guidelines provide “greater clarity” regarding the chancellor’s role. He also defended the inclusion of non-academics in VC positions, describing it as “in line with global trends in higher education.”