The Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) has formed a committee to scrutinise and suggest the government on the contents of the Draft UGC Regulations, 2025, which are preliminarily understood by the government as ‘usurping State rights and an attack on the Constitution’.
TGCHE chairman V. Balakishta Reddy said, “The Centre is promoting the draft with three goals — increasing transparency, improving quality in higher education institutions and for alignment with National Education Policy. But this wholly undermines the autonomy of universities and the Centre-State relations.”
Addressing the press, Mr. Reddy along with his core team, disclosed the objections in the Draft. Its full report will be submitted to the government soon.
The presser comes a day after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy described the Draft as an ‘attack on the Constitution’. The charge against the Draft was initiated last week by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin who urged all Chief Ministers to join the protest.
According to TGCHE officials, the Draft UGC (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, with respect to the State government, has three major problems — recruitment, promotions and the appointment of the Vice Chancellor.
“There is increased centralisation of roles and scope for backdoor entry. There is no role of the State government in appointment of the VC. While an academician with at least 10 years as a professor at a university can become a VC, the Draft allows any individual from industry, public policy and administration, and not necessarily academics, to become a VC,” the officials said, explaining more features like publications, appointments and promotions.
TGCHE Vice Chairman E. Purushotam, expressing his strong opposition, went ahead and called out student unions, university students, officials and representatives to protest against the Draft.
Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan released the Draft Regulations on January 6 and objections can be registered by the State till February 6. Meanwhile, the Karnataka State government has decided to conduct a conclave with Ministers of Higher Education of all the opposing States on February 5 and a joint resolution opposing the Draft will be passed.
Published – January 27, 2025 08:26 pm IST