Pradhan defends UGC draft on appointing Vice Chancellors

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the new draft is in the format of the UGC Regulations of 2010
| Photo Credit: PTI

Responding to Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement that the new draft guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC) are against federalism and for cementing the Bharatiya Janata Party-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh control over universities, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the new draft is in the format of the UGC Regulations of 2010. Mr. Pradhan maintained that the new draft follows the past procedures for appointing vice chancellors.

The Minister said whether it is UGC Regulations of 2010, 2018, or 2025, it is clear that the Chancellor or Visitor appoints the Vice Chancellor. He said the practice “The practice of Chancellors discharging the responsibilities of Vice Chancellor has been going on even before the independence of the country,” Mr. Pradhan said on social media.

He added that the selection committee structure of the draft UGC Regulations is in the same format as of the UGC Regulations 2010. “In this, a selection committee has been formed for the appointment of teachers and other academic staff and to maintain high standards. Its members include a person nominated by the Chancellor/Visitor (Chairman of the Committee), a person nominated by the UGC Chairman and a person nominated by the Syndicate/Executive Council/Board of Management of the university,” he said.

The Minister alleged that the Congress kept the country’s education system in poor shape and it can never accept that the youth of the country should be educated and the country should develop. “That is why spreading confusion and misleading the youth to spread unrest in the country. This has become the policy of the Congress and its president Mallikarjun Kharge,” Mr. Pradhan said asking the Opposition to understand facts.

Mr. Kharge had alleged earlier on Friday (January 10, 2025) that the new draft regulations are a direct attack on the rights of States. “BJP wants to appoint Sang Parivar’s people as Vice Chancellors,” he said adding that the resources for higher education was systematically decreased under the Narendra Modi government.