Delegated legislation from the Centre should not take precedence over the State’s plenary laws.

• States ruled by parties other than the BJP are opposing the UGC’s draft regulations on the appointment and promotion of university teachers and Vice-Chancellors.

• Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka have challenged the regulations, arguing they would undermine the federal structure, diminish State legislatures’ powers, and weaken State universities’ autonomy.

• The UGC’s proposal to play an enhanced role in the selection and appointment of V-Cs of State universities is a key concern.

• States oppose the centralisation of power, leaving many State universities leaderless, especially in Tamil Nadu.

• The new regulations are alleged to dilute academic standards, increase commercialisation, politicisation, and reduce access to higher education for poor and disadvantaged students.

• There is a larger constitutional issue of Centre-State relations at stake, with delegated legislation overriding provisions of a plenary State law.

• Opposition states plan to challenge the regulations in court, indicating a political and legal escalation of the issue.