The appointment of Chancellors in State-run public universities has been a matter of contention among Governors and State governments. Recently, certain Opposition-ruled States have passed legislations to remove Governors or to curtail their powers in matters such as the appointment of Vice Chancellors.

 

In order to address this issue, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided not to interfere in the tussle between Governors and State governments. The UGC believes that the appointment of Chancellors are under the domain of States, and the higher education regulator can intervene only when there are anomalies in the appointment of Vice Chancellors.

 

The UGC has framed UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2018, to ensure the academic and administrative experience of Vice Chancellors of such universities.

 

The regulations state that the Chancellor can nominate a person in the search committee to appoint the Vice Chancellor. However, in some cases, Governors have decided to nominate their representative in the search committee without consulting the Cabinet, leading to a tussle with the State Assemblies and governments.

 

The UGC's stand on the matter is likely to be important as the matter may come to President’s consideration. The UGC has made it clear that the appointment of Chancellors of State Universities is under the domain of States and they do not have any role in it according to the regulations. The UGC has also made it clear that their regulations are clear about the appointment of Vice Chancellors and the nomination of members to the search committee.

 

The UGC's decision not to interfere in the tussle between Governors and State governments regarding the appointment of Chancellors in State-run public universities is likely to give some relief to the Opposition-ruled States. It is also likely to ensure that the appointment process is transparent and in accordance with the regulations set by the UGC. Reference source: TH

 

UPSC Main Exam Question

 

Discuss the recent issue of appointment of Chancellors in State-run public universities and the tussle between Governors and State governments. How has the University Grants Commission (UGC) tried to address this issue? Explain the UGC's role in the appointment of Vice Chancellors and the nomination of members to the search committee.

 

Answer: The recent issue of appointment of Chancellors in State-run public universities has been a matter of contention among Governors and State governments. Certain Opposition-ruled States have passed legislations to remove Governors or to curtail their powers in matters such as the appointment of Vice Chancellors. In order to address this issue, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided not to interfere in the tussle between Governors and State governments.

 

The UGC believes that the appointment of Chancellors is under the domain of States, and the higher education regulator can intervene only when there are anomalies in the appointment of Vice Chancellors. The UGC has framed UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2018, to ensure the academic and administrative experience of Vice Chancellors of such universities.

 

The regulations state that the Chancellor can nominate a person in the search committee to appoint the Vice Chancellor. However, in some cases, Governors have decided to nominate their representative in the search committee without consulting the Cabinet, leading to a tussle with the State Assemblies and governments.

 

The UGC has made it clear that the appointment of Chancellors of State Universities is under the domain of States and they do not have any role in it according to the regulations. The UGC has also made it clear that their regulations are clear about the appointment of Vice Chancellors and the nomination of members to the search committee.

 

The UGC's decision not to interfere in the tussle between Governors and State governments regarding the appointment of Chancellors in State-run public universities is likely to give some relief to the Opposition-ruled States. It is also likely to ensure that the appointment process is transparent and in accordance with the regulations set by the UGC. However, it remains to be seen how the issue of appointment of Chancellors in State-run public universities will be resolved in the future.

 

Image: Kerala Governor/Twitter