Karnataka govt to lead opposition against UGC draft regulations at Bengaluru conclave

The Congress-led government in Karnataka is spearheading efforts to pass a joint resolution with other opposition-ruled states against the new draft University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations.

This move will take place during a conclave of higher education ministers in Bengaluru on Feb 5.

The UGC's proposed regulations (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Standards in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education), which have been criticized as an ‘assault on federalism,’ give the power to appoint vice-chancellors and form search committees for their selection solely to the chancellor, usually the governor, effectively excluding state governments from the process.

This is seen as a contentious move, particularly in light of ongoing tensions between opposition-led state governments and their governors.

The deadline for submitting objections to the draft regulations is Feb 6, and several non-BJP-ruled states, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, are expected to participate in the Bengaluru meeting.

Karnataka's Higher Education Minister, Dr M C Sudhakar, confirmed that a joint resolution opposing the guidelines is being drafted in consultation with these states.

States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka have already expressed strong opposition to the proposed regulations, which they argue undermine state authority and autonomy in managing higher education institutions.

“The draft guidelines severely curtail the power legitimately held by the states hitherto and restrain the constitutional duties and responsibilities of states in higher education. Even a few National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies have opposed it,” said Dr Sudhakar.

“The conclave will bring together as many states as possible on one platform, discuss the pros and cons of the draft guidelines, and take a common position. A joint resolution will be passed at this conclave. This will be submitted as our objection to the draft guidelines to both the Union Government and the UGC,” Dr Sudhakar added.

A thorough discussion of the negative impacts of various UGC norms on public, private, and deemed universities will be covered at the conclave.

“UGC is trying to impose a new set of guidelines, essentially curbing the role of the state governments in the running of our public universities, without even consulting the states. They undermine the federal ethos of the country and have to be immediately withdrawn,” he said.