Kerala Chief Minister writes to Union Education Minister, opposes UGC 2025 draft

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan opposed the Centre's UGC draft regulations, joining Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in criticising the move to centralise vice-chancellor appointments. Vijayan called it a violation of states' constitutional rights and undermining their autonomy.

In Short

• Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan opposes UGC draft regulations
• He claims regulations violate states' constitutional rights, autonomy
• Vijayan criticises central control over vice-chancellor appointments in universities

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has opposed the University Grants Commissions (UGC) 2025 draft regulations, calling them a violation of states' constitutional rights. Speaking to the media, he said the Kerala government has written to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, urging him to review the proposed regulations. The Chief Minister has also reached out to non-BJP Chief Ministers to collectively oppose the draft.

Pinarayi Vijayan argued that the new guidelines infringe upon the autonomy of state universities and undermine the federal structure of the Constitution.

"It is clear that this is an encroachment on the rights of the states, and it is unacceptable. Kerala is taking the lead in making collective efforts on this issue," he said. He pointed out that states bear about 75 per cent of education expenditure and cannot be sidelined in crucial decisions.

Vijayan said the draft rules would make the appointment of vice-chancellors solely the prerogative of the chancellor, effectively placing state university leadership under central control. He also criticised provisions allowing individuals without academic experience to hold the post, raising questions about the draft's sincerity. He noted that the Centres attempt to exclude state governments from the selection process for vice-chancellors reflects "political arrogance."

Tracing the history of education's governance, Vijayan recalled that education was originally under the State List of the Seventh Schedule but was moved to the Concurrent List through the 42nd Amendment during the Emergency period. Despite subsequent amendments, education remains in the Concurrent List, a move he said continues to subvert states autonomy.

The Kerala Chief Minister's remarks add to the growing debate over the new UGC guidelines, which many states view as an overreach by the Centre.

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on January 9 passed a similar resolution, calling on the Union Education Ministry to immediately withdraw the UGC draft regulations, alleging it would grant more powers to Governors in the appointment of VCs.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too criticised the Centres move to amend UGC rules, transferring vice-chancellor appointment powers to governors. He accused the Union government of diminishing state authority in university governance.