The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution opposing the University Grants Commission (UGC) draft regulations that allegedly expand the governor’s authority in appointing vice-chancellors (VCs), intensifying the ongoing conflict between Governor RN Ravi and the state government.
Currently, five state-run universities in Tamil Nadu, including Anna University, the University of Madras, Bharathiar University, Madurai Kamaraj University, and Tamil Nadu Teacher Education University, remain without appointed VCs due to this standoff. The resolution, introduced by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, received support from all political parties except the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Earlier this week, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled draft guidelines for faculty recruitment and promotions in higher education institutions, proposing that VC positions be opened to non-academics.
In response, the Tamil Nadu Assembly urged the Union Ministry of Education to withdraw the UGC draft. The resolution stated, “The House believes that the recent UGC regulations on the appointment of vice-chancellors should be revoked.”
Condemning the draft, the resolution further declared, “These regulations threaten the future of Tamil Nadu’s youth. This Assembly unanimously demands their withdrawal. It is unacceptable to arbitrarily increase the governor’s powers in appointing VCs.”
Chief Minister Stalin criticized the BJP-led central government for undermining state autonomy in education, warning that the new rules would harm Tamil Nadu’s socially just education model.
Notably, the main opposition party, AIADMK—despite its usual criticism of the DMK—backed the resolution. In contrast, BJP’s floor leader Nainar Nagendran staged a walkout, though the BJP’s regional ally, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), supported the DMK.
Nagendran remarked, “The state government still has time to formally oppose the draft regulations.”
The conflict stems from the governor’s insistence on including a UGC nominee in search committees for VC appointments—a move the DMK government opposes. Stalin asserted, “We did not accept the governor’s recommendations as they are neither appropriate nor conventional.”
In 2022, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a bill seeking to limit the governor’s role in VC appointments. Reinforcing this stance, Stalin vowed in a social media post on Tuesday that the state would challenge the issue both legally and politically, calling the central government’s actions authoritarian and an attempt to centralize power.
Despite state funding for universities, the governor, serving as the chancellor, has the authority to appoint VCs. The conflict escalated in December 2024 when Governor Ravi asked the government to revoke its December 9 notification regarding the search committee for Annamalai University’s VC. The governor claimed the committee violated Supreme Court directives by excluding a UGC nominee.
Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian defended the government’s actions, stating they adhered to state university laws. The governor’s recommended committee included representatives from the chancellor, the state government, the university syndicate, and the UGC chairman, with the chancellor’s nominee serving as convener.
Raj Bhavan declared the state’s December 9 notification void, citing its inconsistency with UGC regulations and Supreme Court rulings. In response, the state government accused the governor of unilaterally adding a fourth member to the search committee.
Minister Govi Chezhian emphasized that each university operates under its own bylaws and that communication from the UGC should come directly to the state. He criticized the governor for obstructing the government’s decisions, stating, “It is inappropriate for the governor-chancellor to interfere with the state government’s actions.”