Kerala CM Criticizes Draft UGC Regulations 2025 for Undermining State Autonomy

UGC Draft Regulations Empower Governors in VC Appointments and Allow Industry Experts to Lead Universities, Shifting Away from Academia-Only Tradition

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly opposed the new draft regulations proposed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), calling it an attempt to undermine federal principles and strip states of their authority in higher education. The Chief Minister’s criticism comes in response to provisions in the Draft UGC Regulations 2025, which expand the powers of Governors in appointing vice-chancellors for state universities and open the position to non-academicians.

In a tweet, Vijayan stated, “The 'Draft UGC Regulations 2025' undermines federalism by stripping states of their rights to appoint Vice Chancellors for state-run universities and vesting unchecked power in the Chancellor. Education is a concurrent subject, not a matter of central monopoly. This move is part of the Sangh Parivar agenda to consolidate power and subvert state autonomy. All democratic forces must unite to resist this blatant assault on federal principles.”

Key Provisions and Backlash

The new draft regulations, issued by the UGC on Monday, propose giving Governors, who also act as Chancellors of state universities, broader powers in appointing vice-chancellors. Additionally, the guidelines allow the appointment of industry experts and public sector leaders as vice-chancellors, moving away from the traditional practice of selecting only academicians.

If approved, these changes could have significant implications for Opposition-ruled states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, where governments have frequently clashed with Governors over university appointments. According to government sources, the move is expected to centralize decision-making in higher education, a concern echoed by several state leaders.

Federalism and Constitutional Concerns

Vijayan criticized the regulations as a continuation of the UGC and central government's policies of “commercialisation, communalisation, and centralisation” in higher education. He argued that granting Chancellors greater control over vice-chancellor appointments violates constitutional principles, particularly the concurrent list that places education as a shared responsibility between the Centre and states.

“This suggestion has shattered the constitutional perspective that the Governor should act as per the advice of the Council of Ministers. The appointment of VCs in universities in states as per the interests of the Union government is a challenge to the concurrent list in the Constitution,” Vijayan said.

The CM also denounced the proposed change enabling non-academicians to become vice-chancellors, calling it a shortcut to install “Sangh Parivar nominees” in university governance. He urged all democratic forces to unite against what he termed as a “blatant assault on federalism.”

The CPI(M), Kerala’s ruling party, also released a statement condemning the draft, warning that it enables the Centre to appoint vice-chancellors of its choice in state-run universities through the Governor. “All democratic sections, including non-BJP state governments, should unitedly oppose this dangerous provision. It should be withdrawn,” the party stated.

In 2023, the CPI(M)-led Kerala government had passed a Bill to remove the Governor as Chancellor of state universities. However, the Governor referred the Bill to the President, who has not yet given assent.

Broader Implications

The draft UGC regulations are likely to spark further debate over federalism and the autonomy of states in education. With opposition mounting from states and political parties, the future of the proposed guidelines remains uncertain.

Read More:

• UGC Draft Regulations 2025: Holistic Faculty Recruitment, Multidisciplinary Flexibility, and Revamped VC Selection
• UGC Invites Feedback on Draft Guidelines for Skill-Based Courses and Micro-Credentials in Higher Education