Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Minister of Home G. Parameshwara and Minister of Higher Education M.C. Sudhakar at Higher Education Ministers’ conclave in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
On Wednesday, Ministers for Higher Education and their representatives from six States passed a joint resolution opposing the new draft of the University Grants Commission (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, and grading of higher education institutions based on the New Education Policy-2020.
Demand for withdrawal
This was the outcome of the conclave of State Higher Education Ministers-2025, hosted by Karnataka. Representatives from Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka participated and came out with a 15-point resolution, urging the Union government to withdrawal the new draft regulations. In their resolution, the States said that the BJP-headed Union government is trying to push its agenda and ideology through the new regulations, undermining federal principles.
The Maharashtra representative, who was to virtually attend the conclave, was unable to continue due to technical glitches. The Jammu & Kashmir Minister communicated that they could not take part due to emergency meetings, said Karnataka’s Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar, addressing presspersons later.
He claimed that even some parties which are in alliance with BJP have expressed their objection to the UGC draft regulations, including Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh, Janata Dal United (JDU) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP-Ram Vilas) of Bihar. West Bengal has constituted an expert committee to look into it.
Dr. Sudhakar said, “We have urged the Union government to immediately withdraw them and hold a collective consultation with states. We will wait for UGC’s decision and take a call on the next course of action.”
Only regulatory body
He said that the UGC is only the regulatory body and it cannot override the State. “In this regulation, the States have no power in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors and the Governor has been given complete power. However, all the functions including development of infrastructure of the universities, recruitment, salary and other rules are carried out by the state governments. We are confident that UGC and the Union Education Ministry will reconsider and invite all the states for a detailed deliberation,” the Minister added.
Govi Chezhiaan, Minister for Higher Education, Tamil Nadu, pointed out that theirs was the first state to pass a resolution in the Assembly against the new regulations, followed Kerala. “This is the Centre’s move to undermine elected state governments and take over state universities. Tamil Nadu has always prioritised education and social justice, but these rules go against the interests of students.”
Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT and Industry, Telangana, described the regulation as “drastic and draconian.” Sudivya Kumar, Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Jharkhand, and Rohit Thakur, Minister for Education, Himachal Pradesh, said that states would oppose the regulations with full force.
UGC chairman responds
Meanwhile, responding to the resolution, UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar, said the new draft regulations “aim to ensure the highest standards in universities by introducing a more inclusive and transparent selection process.” He said they “seek to uphold the autonomy and accountability of higher education institutions.” He further said they welcome constructive feedback and would work collaboratively.
Published – February 05, 2025 09:44 pm IST
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/six-states-pass-15-point-resolution-against-ugcs-new-draft-regulation/article69184637.ece