Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Congress of “selling lies” about the UGC’s draft recruitment norms, emphasizing that the practice of governors appointing university vice-chancellors (VCs) has existed since before Independence.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently proposed regulations for 2025, introducing significant changes to VC and assistant professor recruitment, including eligibility for industry experts and senior public administrators. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the draft, calling it a “direct attack on federalism and state rights.”

Pradhan refuted these claims, asserting the draft regulations largely mirror the 2010 and 2018 versions, retaining the chancellor’s role in appointing VCs. “The selection committee structure remains unchanged, and the chancellor or visitor has always appointed VCs based on committee recommendations,” Pradhan explained on X.

He accused Congress of misleading the public, stating, “This party has consistently weakened India’s education system and erased its cultural heritage from textbooks.” He urged Congress to focus on youth development rather than political criticism.

States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have opposed the regulations, citing central overreach. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced plans to legally challenge the governor’s authority over VC appointments.

Also read: Kerala CM slams UGC for undermining state university autonomy