UGC’s Draft Regulations on Vice-Chancellor Appointments Draw Flak from ACTA
Academic Institutions in Jeopardy: ACTA Warns Against UGC’s New Policies
UGC’s Vice-Chancellor Appointment Proposal Sparks Debate on Federalism
The Aided College Teachers’ Association aa(ACTA) has strongly opposed the University Grants Commission's (UGC) Draft Regulations 2025 concerning the appointment of vice-chancellors in higher education institutions (HEIs). The association expressed concerns that the proposed changes, if implemented, could undermine the autonomy and functioning of universities.
According to the draft, released by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Governor will be granted greater control in forming the search panel for vice-chancellor appointments. ACTA criticized this provision, highlighting the risk of appointing non-academics to these crucial academic posts. S. Sahaya Sathish, general secretary of ACTA, stated that the UGC’s move to “de-democratize” the university system would worsen the already strained academic and administrative environment in universities.
The statement also pointed out that several vice-chancellor posts remain vacant in Tamil Nadu universities due to conflicts between the Governor and the State Government. ACTA warned that the UGC's new proposal could further escalate these tensions.
In addition, colleges were cautioned by the UGC about losing their affiliations and grants if they fail to comply with the proposed regulations. ACTA argued that the UGC’s expanded powers over state universities, established through state legislation and primarily funded by state governments, violate the constitutional federal structure.
The UGC, established in 1956 to coordinate, consult, and distribute financial assistance among HEIs, is now being accused of overstepping its mandate. ACTA stressed that such arbitrary authority over state HEIs could jeopardize the higher education landscape and called for the withdrawal of the contentious draft regulations.
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