Tamil Nadu’s Dispute Over UGC Regulations

• Chief Minister M.K. Stalin criticized the University Grants Commission (UGC) for imposing new regulations on Vice-Chancellors’ selection process.

• He deemed the UGC’s unilateral notification as “unconstitutional” and a “case of overreach.”

• Stalin criticized the new regulations for granting Governors broader control over V-C appointments and allowing non-academics to hold these posts.

• He argued that the BJP government’s authoritarian move seeks to centralize power and undermine democratically elected state governments.

• The draft UGC Regulations, 2025 gives powers to Chancellors or Visitors to form a three-member search-cumselection committee to appoint Vice-Chancellors.

• Non-implementation could lead to debarring an institution from UGC schemes or degree programs.