Parliament Question: UGC Draft Regulations 2025 on Appointment of Vice-Chancellors

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2319 ANSWERED ON- 15/12/2025 UGC Draft Regulations 2025 on Appointment of Vice-Chancellors

2319. Shri Murasoli S:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government has taken note of the resolutions passed by State Legislatures, including Tamil Nadu, seeking withdrawal of the UGC Draft Regulations 2025 on the ground that they encroach upon State autonomy in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any corrective or consultative measures have been taken or any modifications proposed to address the concerns raised by the State Governments, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Union Government proposes to hold structured consultations or deliberations with State Governments before finalising the said regulations, in view of education being a subject under the Concurrent List, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government intends to establish a mechanism to ensure that future higher education regulatory frameworks reflect cooperative federalism and balanced participation of both Union and State Governments; and

(e) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (c): Education is a subject in the Concurrent List and both the Parliament and the State legislatures have powers to legislate. As per Entry 66 List I of Schedule VII to the Constitution of India, the power to legislate for "Co-ordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions", vests in the Central Government. Section 26 (1) (e) of University Grants Commission (UGC) Act 1956 empowers UGC to make Regulations regarding ‘defining the qualifications that should ordinarily be required of any person to be appointed to the teaching staff of the University, having regard to the branch of education in which he is expected to give instruction'. Section 26 (1) (g) of UGG Act 1956 empowers UGCto make regulations 'regulating the maintenance of standards and the co-ordination of work or facilities in Universities’.

As part of consultation process on the Draft UGC Regulations 2025, Vice Chancellors of Central universities from all States were consulted and it was also shared with all the Principal Secretaries (Higher Education) of all States, Chairmen of all State Higher Education Councils, IITs, IIMs, NITs and industry bodies. UGC placed 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 in public domain from 6th January to 28th February 2025 for feedback, suggestions and wider consultations. UGC has received feedback on the draft regulations. Considering the huge response received from stakeholders UGC has decided to continue the consultation process with Universities.

(d) & (e): The UGC Draft Regulations 2025 strongly uphold and reinforce India’s federal structure by balancing national standards and state autonomy in higher education. These Regulations are designed to ensure academic excellence while respecting the diverse educational frameworks of different States. The draft UGC Regulations 2025 provide more autonomy to the States and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

The Regulations set minimum standards but allow State Universities to frame their own additional criteria over and above the minimum standards for faculty appointments and promotions, preserving the autonomy of state universities.

Provisions in the draft Regulations for promoting regional languages, Indian Knowledge Systems, and community engagement structures ensure that state- specific priorities are protected. ****