Kerala CM Vijayan Critiques Draft UGC Regulations for State Overreach

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 20 (NationPress) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asserted on Thursday that the draft UGC Regulations issued by the Centre encroach upon the authority of states to legislate on higher education, thereby threatening the federal structure of the nation.

"This is why this national convention holds great importance. The responsibility lies with us to redefine the role and authority of the UGC in relation to its regulatory influence, while reaffirming the states' role in establishing and managing state universities," stated Vijayan as he launched a gathering of prominent leaders from southern India, excluding Andhra Pradesh.

Ministers from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana, along with officials from Jharkhand, were also in attendance at the convention.

"Upon the release of the Draft UGC Regulations, 2025, it became clear that the anti-federal and anti-democratic aspects could severely impact the entire higher education landscape in the country. Consequently, the Kerala Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Union government to retract these regulations. We have also requested that the Union government engage in thorough discussions with all stakeholders, genuinely considering their feedback prior to formulating new guidelines," Vijayan remarked.

"A significant concern with the draft Regulations is their failure to include any role for state governments in the appointment of Vice Chancellors for public universities established under state legislation, thereby violating the rightful powers of the states in a federal structure. The selection process for Vice Chancellors is proposed to be solely under the Chancellor’s authority, removing the Higher Education departments' role in forming the search-cum-selection committee. If the Chancellor can choose from a panel, the appointment will likely be influenced by the political authorities who appointed the Governor, as in most state universities where Governors act as Chancellors. In this regard, the draft Regulations contradict the fundamental federal principles enshrined in the Constitution," Vijayan explained.

Also attending was the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V.D. Satheesan, who emphasized that due to the significance of higher education, it must be free from political interference from both the Union and state governments.

"The draft regulations also pave the way for individuals from bureaucratic or industrial backgrounds to be appointed as VCs, raising serious concerns about the potential saffronization of higher education," Satheesan added.

The convention resolved to convene its next meeting on this subject in Hyderabad.