T.N. government moves Bill to name CM Stalin as Chancellor of proposed Kalaignar University

M.K. Stalin. File
| Photo Credit: S.S. Kumar

The Tamil Nadu government is planning to name Chief Minister M.K. Stalin as the Chancellor of the proposed Kalaignar University to be established in Kumbakonam. Minister for Higher Education Govi. Chezhiaan moved a Bill in this regard in the Assembly on Tuesday (April 28, 2025).

According to the Bill, the Chief Minister would be the Chancellor of the varsity and Minister of Higher Education the Pro-Chancellor. The Chancellor would appoint the Vice-Chancellor from a panel of three names recommended by a committee.

Bharathidasan University, which covers the districts of Ariyalur, Karur, Nagapattinam, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruchi, and Tiruvarur, found it “difficult to cater to the needs of students, especially in the coastal areas,” according to the Bill. The proposed Kalaignar University would be established by bifurcating Bharathidasan University and would provide world-class facilities aimed at uplifting marginalised communities in Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, and Tiruvarur districts, the Bill stated.