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Representatives from Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are participating in the one-day conclave.
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivkumar (File Photo)
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivkumar has inaugurated the national-level Higher Education Ministers’ Conclave in Bengaluru today, February 5. Ministers from seven states discussed UGC draft regulations regarding the appointment of Vice Chancellors and the governance of higher education institutions. Representatives from Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are participating in the one-day conclave.
The UGC Draft Regulations, released by education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on January 6, grant more power to the chancellor in the appointment of vice-chancellors (V-C) at state universities. Governors, appointed by the centre, are the ex-officio chancellors of state universities.
The event, which was thrown open by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, aims to build a consensus against the proposed rules. Several opposition-ruled states raised concerns about the provisions of the draft rules as they believe it will curtail the role of state governments in the higher education sector, even though they are the ones funding state universities. Education is a subject in the concurrent list, which allows both states and centre to have a say in the sector.
Bengaluru, Karnataka: Deputy CM D.K. Shivkumar inaugurated the national-level Higher Education Ministers’ Conclave in Bangalore, where ministers from 7 states discussed UGC draft regulations regarding Vice Chancellor appointments and the governance of higher education… pic.twitter.com/Yw3PReA6wl— IANS (@ians_india) February 5, 2025
The draft regulations state that chancellors/visitors of state universities will constitute a three-member search-cum-selection committee to pick, not necessarily an academic, as vice-chancellors (V-C). In the three-member-committee, the chairman would be the governor’s nominee, and the two other members would be picked up by the UGC chairman and the apex body of the university, interpreted as vice-chancellor, giving near complete control to governors, and consequently, to the central government in appointing the administrator of the university.
According to states, the centre’s “unilateral” step will keep them completely out of the recruitment process, thus tampering with the federal structure.
The draft rules are open to public feedback till February 6.