‘Governors resorting to political appointments of vice-chancellors’: 6 states move joint resolution seeking withdrawal of draft UGC guidelines 2025

15-point resolution

Of all the regulations, the state governments have largely expressed concerns over the appointment of vice-chancellors, wherein they alleged that UGC has centralised the process, leaving no say for the states to weigh-in during the appointment process. Additionally, they have also opposed the proposal of allowing individuals from the private sector to be appointed as vice-chancellors.

The removal of the Academic Performance Indicator (API) system was also criticised, claiming that the new evaluation system grants too much discretion. Further concerns were raised about the eligibility criteria for assistant professors, particularly the provisions that allow for the appointment of faculty members without a basic degree in the core subject.

The conclave sought greater clarity on the recruitment and service conditions of contractual, visiting, and guest faculty. The punitive measures in the draft regulations were deemed excessive and undemocratic, particularly the provisions making NEP 2020 implementation mandatory and penalising institutions for non-compliance. The ministers argued that these measures violate the autonomy of states.

The conclave also highlighted the ‘bias’ toward private institutions in the draft regulations, expressing concerns that government universities would be neglected. The proposal to make entrance exams mandatory for undergraduate admissions was strongly opposed, as it could limit access to higher education and reduce the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER). The grading criteria for institutions, the introduction of biannual exams, dual degrees, multiple entry and exit options, and the push for fast-track degrees were all flagged as areas requiring further consultation.

‘Political appointments of vice-chancellors’

Dr MC Sudhakar, Minister Of Higher Education, Karnataka said, “UGC does not explicitly mandate that the chancellor of a university must be the governor; rather, it has become a convention in all states. Over time, the role of governors in university administration has evolved, leading to various challenges, including during the Congress regime. Recently, concerns over governors’ functioning have become questionable, extending beyond administrative matters to political appointments of vice-chancellors. Previously, while such appointments existed, there was never such a strained relationship between governors and state governments as we see today. The situation has changed dramatically, with incidents like governors walking out of assemblies, which were unheard of before.”

‘Uphold principles of cooperative federalism’

Shridhar Babu, Minister for IT and Industry, Telangana, said, “The draft UGC regulations must be immediately withdrawn to uphold the principles of cooperative federalism. Education is a crucial domain where states must have the autonomy and freedom to make decisions that best serve their institutions and students. Any attempt to centralise control undermines the spirit of federalism and restricts the ability of state governments to shape their own higher education policies.”

‘Education linked to local needs of states’

Govi Chezhian, Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister, said, “Education is intrinsically linked to the culture, language, and local needs of each state, making it essential that state governments retain control over key decisions. While states provide land, infrastructure, and resources to universities and students, the draft UGC regulations deny them any role in appointing vice-chancellors, which is a fundamental overreach. This exclusion not only disregards the state’s investment in education but also weakens the accountability and effectiveness of higher education governance.”

‘Regulations are unconstitutional’

Rohit Thakur, Himachal Pradesh Higher Education Minister, said, “The proposed regulations are unconstitutional and amount to an assault on the federal structure of India. By limiting the role of states in higher education governance, these guidelines violate the principles of federalism enshrined in the Constitution. States must have the authority to manage their own universities and appointments without undue interference from the Centre.”

What has UGC argued?

UGC Chairman Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar told The Indian Express, “The Draft UGC Regulations 2025 aims to ensure the highest standards in universities by introducing a more inclusive and transparent selection process. The proposed draft regulations seek to uphold the autonomy and accountability of higher education institutions. The primary objective is to enhance the quality of education, promote research innovation, align university governance with global best practices, and fulfil the transformative vision of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. We welcome constructive feedback and work collaboratively to strengthen our country’s higher education system.”