Lok Sabha Question No. 988 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Selection Process for VCs
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Shri Gaurav Gogoi, Shri Rajmohan Unnithan, Shri Anto Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 988

ANSWERED ON- 10/02/2025

## SELECTION PROCESS FOR VCs

988. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  rationale  for  proposing  changes  in  the  draft  UGC  Regulations,  2025,  that divest  State  Governments  of  their  role  in  the  selection  process  for  Vice  Chancellors (VCs);
- (b) the  Government's  response  to  concerns  raised  by  various  State  Governments including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, about draft regulations violating federal principles and undermining State autonomy in higher education;
- (c) whether the  Government  has  considered  the implications  of  empowering Chancellors (typically  Governors)  with  unilateral  authority  in  the  selection  of  VCs  and potential for conflicts between State Governments and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the justification for allowing non-academics with background in public administration,  public  policy  or  industry  to  be  eligible  for  the  VC's  role  and  the safeguards  in  place  to  ensure  that  such  appointments  are  based  on  merit  and  not political affiliations; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  intends  to  revise  the  draft  regulations  to  ensure  that these  uphold  constitutional  federalism  and  foster  autonomy  in  university  governance and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

- (a) to (e): The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommended many transformative reforms which need to be incorporated into the regulations, which was the key reason for revising the University Grants Commission (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.    The  qualities  envisioned  in  the  NEP  2020  for  leadership  positions  in  Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are persons with high academic qualifications and having

demonstrated administrative and leadership capabilities along with abilities to manage complex situations. Leaders of HEIs will demonstrate strong alignment to Constitutional values  and  the  overall  vision  of  the  institution,  along  with  attributes  such  as  a  strong social  commitment,  belief  in  teamwork,  pluralism,  ability  to  work  with  diverse  people, and a positive  outlook.  The  same  has  been  incorporated  in  the  draft  UGC  (Minimum Qualifications  for  Appointment  &  Promotion  of  Teachers  and  Academic  Staff  in Universities  and  Colleges  and  Measures  for  the  Maintenance  of  Standards  in  Higher Education) Regulations, 2025  as  eligibility criteria, among  other  things, for the appointment of Vice Chancellors.

UGC  is  empowered  to  make  regulations  for  the  promotion  and  co-ordination  of University  education  and  for  the  determination  and  maintenance  of  standards  of teaching,  examination  and  research  in  Universities.  UGC  notifies  regulations  in  the exercise  of  powers  conferred  under  clause  (e)  of  sub-section(I)  of  Section  26  of  the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956).  The draft UGC Regulations, 2025 provide more autonomy and inclusive development of the State Universities. The draft regulations provide more power to universities in the selection process of teachers. The selection committees of universities will decide on the quality of research publications, the reputation of publishers, etc., based on the input from external experts, rather than the fixed numerical score known as Academic Performance Index (API). The eligibility criteria for appointment and promotion have been simplified and broadened in the draft regulations.  It  empowers  State  Governments  to  decide  on  the  selection  process  of teachers in colleges falling under their purview. Search cum Selection Committee proposed in these regulations has  three members, out  of  which  only  one  is  to  be  nominated  by  the  Chancellor  and  other  two  are  to  be nominated  by  independent  statutory  bodies  such  as  UGC  and  apex  body  of  the University. feedback, suggestions  and  wide  consultations.  Various  suggestions,  comments  and  feedback have  been  received  from  different  stakeholders.  The  feedback  so  received  will  be analysed  by  an  Expert  Committee  for  incorporating  suitable  suggestions  in  the

These  draft regulations have been  placed in the public domain  for regulations.

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