Kerala Assembly Passes Resolution Asking Centre To Withdraw Draft UGC Norms

The resolution against University Grants Commission (UGC) draft norms urged the central government to withdraw the norms and replace them with revised guidelines.

The resolution comes a day after Tamil Nadu CM Stalin requested CMs of non-BJP ruled states to pass a resolution against the draft.

Source : X

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented a resolution against University Grants Commission (UGC) draft norms in the state assembly on Monday. The resolution urged the central government to withdraw the UGC draft norms, issued on January 6, 2025, and replace them with revised guidelines.

The resolution comes a day after Tamil Nadu CM Stalin requested CMs of non-BJP ruled states to pass a resolution against the draft. He also criticised the provision including the clause related to the appointment of Vice Chancellors in state-run universities.  

The assembly observed that the UGC's draft regulations permit the exclusion of academic experts and enable the appointment of individuals from the private sector as Vice Chancellors in universities, as per a report on The New Indian Express. The resolution stated that this approach is intended to commercialize the higher education sector.

 

Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presents the resolution in the assembly requesting the central government to withdraw the UGC draft norms issued on January 6, 2025 and issue new norms.

"We are presenting this resolution at a time when there are… pic.twitter.com/nEQIHQvHfB

— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2025

 

On the resolution, Dr R Bindu, Kerala Minister of Higher Education and Social Justice said, "Assembly unanimously passed the resolution. We are determined to form joint platforms of like-minded state govts because we consider this as an onslaught on the rights of the state govts in the field of education. We are spending money for maintaining universities, academics and other activities but according to the draft guidelines, the rights hitherto maintained by state govts have been questioned. So, naturally, it is our duty to resist this and that is what is happening..."

On January 9, Tamil Nadu passed a resolution against withdrawal of Draft UGC Regulations 2025.