Lok Sabha Question No. 88 (STARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Rational of Draft UGC Regulations, 2025
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M., Shri Dinesh Chandra Yadav

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO- *88 ANSWERED ON- 10/02/2025

## RATIONAL OF DRAFT UGC REGULATIONS, 2025

- *88. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.: SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:
- Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a)  the  salient  features  and  objectives  of  the  Draft  Regulations,  2025  published  by University Grants Commission (UGC); (b)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  many  provisions  in  the  Draft  Regulations,  2025  of  the University  Grants  Commission  may  pose  serious  challenges  to  the  academic integrity, autonomy and inclusive development of State Universities; (c)  whether it is a fact that these Regulations are clear infringement of the rights of State Governments and would have far-reaching consequences for the autonomy of State Universities; (d)  whether  it  is  also  true  that  many  State  Legislative  Assemblies  have  passed unanimous resolutions against the draft UGC regulations; and (e) if so, whether the Government proposes to withdraw or to rectify the shortcoming
- of these draft regulations?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFEREED TO IN REPLY OF PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.88 FOR 10.02.2025 ASKED BY SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI  T.  M.  AND  SHRI  DINESH  CHANDRA  YADAV,  HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING 'RATIONAL OF DRAFT UGC REGULATIONS, 2025' (a): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released 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. Its objective is to infuse innovation, inclusivity, flexibility and dynamism in every aspect of higher education, empower teachers and academic  staff,  strengthen  academic  standards  and  pave  the  way  for  achieving educational excellence and to make it in sync with the ethos of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It strives for driving transformations in the education system and propelling  the  country  towards  Viksit  Bharat  2047  through  quality  education  and research. (b)  to  (e):    UGC  is  empowered  to  make  regulations  for  the  promotion  and  coordination  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.    These  draft  regulations  have  been  placed  in  the  public  domain  for feedback, suggestions and wide consultations and the last date to receive feedback from stakeholders has been extended to 28.02.2025. 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 regulations.

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