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The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution, calling on the Union Education Ministry to immediately withdraw the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) draft regulations for 2025, which would grant more powers to Governors in the appointment of vice-chancellors (VCs).
The resolution, which was supported by other political parties, including AIADMK, BJP’s ally PMK, argued that the new regulations undermine federalism and could harm the state’s higher education system.
Chief Minister MK Stalin, who led the charge in moving the resolution, voiced strong opposition to the draft guidelines, released by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on January 6.
The guidelines, which are based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aim to overhaul the VC selection process, expand eligibility criteria and increase transparency. However, Stalin contended that these regulations were an attempt to centralise power and interfere with the autonomy of Tamil Nadu’s universities.
“We do not accept it. It is not right to give more powers to the Governors to appoint VCs arbitrarily. This is an attempt to usurp the rights of states that have built these universities with their own resources,” Stalin said. He further criticised the Centre’s refusal to address issues such as exorbitant fees in private universities and the lack of new central institutes in Tamil Nadu.
The Chief Minister also underscored the threat the draft guidelines posed to Tamil Nadu’s higher education system, which he described as being built on the principles of social justice. He cautioned that the state would not remain silent if its educational autonomy was compromised. “We will protect education and future generations. If the Union government doesn’t reconsider, we will approach the court,” Stalin warned.
BJP leader Nainar Nagendran opposed the resolution, arguing that it was premature as only draft resolutions had been released. He also noted that there was time until February 5 for suggestions and recommendations. Nagendran staged a walkout along with BJP legislators, voicing dissatisfaction over the resolution’s tone.
The resolution, which highlighted the risks of the draft regulations to Tamil Nadu’s educational autonomy and the future of its students, called for their immediate withdrawal.
The resolution also included a warning that if the Union government does not change its stance, Tamil Nadu would pursue legal avenues to protect its educational rights, ensuring that the state’s commitment to social justice in education remains intact.
