Key Takeaways
- The Karnataka government opposes UGC draft guidelines on Vice Chancellors’ appointment, citing violation of federal structure and encroachment on State Governments’ rights.
- The guidelines empower the Chancellor/Visitor to make appointments without State Governments’ involvement, contradicting existing state legislation.
- Karnataka demands a wider consultation with State Governments before implementing any radical changes to the guidelines.
Bengaluru: Karnataka government has urged the University Grants Commission (UGC) to immediately withdraw its draft guidelines on the appointment of Vice Chancellors, terming them a violation of the federal structure and an encroachment on the rights of State Governments.
Karnataka Higher Education Minister Dr MC Sudhakar expressed strong opposition to the proposed rules, which he claimed undermine the State’s authority over higher education governance.
Dr Sudhakar highlighted that 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, exclude State Governments from the Vice Chancellors’ selection process.
The guidelines empower the Chancellor/Visitor to appoint a search-cum-selection committee and make appointments without any involvement of the State Government.
Calling the provisions unacceptable, Dr. Sudhakar argued that they contradict existing state legislation, jeopardise the federal structure, and dilute the State’s responsibility to provide quality education.
He also emphasised Karnataka’s leadership in higher education, noting its gross enrolment ratio exceeds the national average, with substantial funding and administrative support provided by the State Government.
The minister demanded a wider consultation with State Governments before implementing any radical changes to the guidelines and reiterated Karnataka’s opposition to any attempt to curtail its role in university administration.
“The State Government has a responsibility to its people, and these guidelines strike at the root of that responsibility and authority,” he stated.
