Introduction

• The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, marking a major shift in India’s higher education system. 
• These new UGC guidelines aim to streamline the process for appointing Vice-Chancellors (VCs) and academic staff in universities, while also enhancing the quality, inclusivity, and flexibility of academic governance. 
• However, some states have raised concerns, fearing that the increased centralization of power, especially in VC appointments, could undermine state autonomy.

Who is the Chancellor of Universities?

• State public universities are established through laws passed by state legislatures.  
• In most laws the Governor has been designated as the Chancellor of these universities.  
• The Chancellor functions as the head of public universities and appoints the Vice-Chancellor of the university. 

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Key Features of the UGC Guidelines 2025

• Revamped Vice-Chancellor Appointment Process: The guidelines introduce a Search-cum-Selection Committee for VC appointments, comprising nominees from the Chancellor/Visitor, UGC Chairman, and the university’s apex body (such as the Ex-Senate). This new structure ensures a more transparent and diverse selection process. Additionally, the eligibility criteria for VCs have been expanded. Now, professionals with over 10 years of experience in fields like industry, public administration, or public sector undertakings, along with notable academic contributions, can be considered for VC appointments.

• Aligning with NEP 2020: In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the new guidelines emphasize leadership, governance, and collaboration skills for VCs. This move seeks to promote leadership in universities that fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking academic environment, which is central to the goals outlined in NEP 2020.

• Revised Teacher Recruitment Process: A significant change in these regulations is the shift from the API-based evaluation system to a more holistic and qualitative approach for recruiting academic staff. This new system prioritizes:
  • Innovation in teaching
  • Contributions to society
  • Promotion of Indian knowledge systems
  • Multidisciplinary expertise
  • The aim is to recognize diverse academic contributions beyond traditional metrics like publication counts, encouraging educators to make a broader impact in society.
• Flexibility in UGC-NET:  The new guidelines introduce greater flexibility in the UGC-NET exam, allowing candidates to qualify in subjects that align with their expertise, even if their degree discipline differs. This promotes interdisciplinary teaching, enabling faculty members to bring a wider range of knowledge and skills to their teaching roles.
• Promotion of Indian Languages and Cultural Heritage: A key feature of the guidelines is the encouragement of academic work in regional languages and contributions to Indian knowledge systems. This initiative aims to make education more accessible to diverse linguistic communities and preserve India’s rich cultural heritage within academia.
• Removal of Cap on Contract-Based Faculty: The new guidelines remove the 10% cap on contract-based faculty appointments. While this provides flexibility in faculty hiring, it also stresses the importance of rigorous selection processes and periodic reviews to ensure that quality standards are maintained.

Centre-State Conflicts Over VC Appointments

• The introduction of these new UGC regulations has sparked several conflicts between the central government and state governments over the issue of VC appointments. Many states feel that these changes erode their autonomy in higher education governance. Some of the key state-level conflicts include:
  • Kerala: In 2023, Kerala passed a bill to replace the Governor with eminent educationists as Chancellor, which is still awaiting Presidential assent.
  • Karnataka: In December 2024, Karnataka introduced a bill to replace the Governor with the Chief Minister as Chancellor for state universities, with similar legislation being considered for other universities.
  • Maharashtra: Maharashtra sought to limit the Governor’s powers in VC appointments in 2021, but the bill was withdrawn in 2022 following a change in government.
  • Tamil Nadu: In 2022, Tamil Nadu passed two bills allowing the state government to appoint VCs, but these bills remain unapproved by the Governor.
• These developments underscore the tension between central control and state autonomy in managing higher education institutions.

The Rationale Behind the UGC Guidelines

• Holistic Evaluation of Faculty: The UGC guidelines replace the rigid API system with a more flexible evaluation model. This shift aims to recognize a broader range of academic contributions, such as teaching innovation, societal engagement, and interdisciplinary research. The goal is to create a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to faculty evaluation.
• Inclusivity and Flexibility: The guidelines introduce new pathways for recruiting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including sportspersons, artists, and people with disabilities. This inclusivity promotes a more diverse academic community, where individuals from varied backgrounds can contribute to the teaching and learning environment.
• Interdisciplinary Teaching: By allowing candidates to teach in areas that align with their expertise, rather than their previous academic discipline, the UGC guidelines 2025 encourage interdisciplinary teaching. This fosters a more collaborative and integrated academic environment that breaks down traditional subject barriers.
• Transparency in Recruitment: The guidelines seek to enhance transparency in faculty recruitment and promotion processes. Clearer criteria and standardized procedures are designed to reduce subjectivity, ensuring fairness and accountability in academic appointments.
• Cultural Preservation and Regional Relevance Promoting academic work in regional languages and encouraging contributions to Indian knowledge systems is a central aspect of the guidelines. This initiative aims to preserve India’s rich cultural heritage and make education more relevant to local communities, particularly in regions with linguistic diversity.

Concerns About the UGC Guidelines

• Erosion of State Autonomy:  States argue that the increased role of the Chancellor (Governor) in VC appointments undermines their autonomy over higher education governance. This centralization is seen as a challenge to the federal structure of governance in India.
  • For instance, Kerala’s attempt to replace the Governor with eminent educationists as Chancellor through a bill passed in 2023 highlights the state’s resistance to central dominance in higher education governance. The bill, still awaiting Presidential assent, underscores the ongoing tension between state autonomy and centralization. 
  • Recently Karnataka has opposed the draft UGC guidelines (2025) saying that it is a direct assault on the federal structure and said they undermined the state’s role in higher education governance.
• Lack of Representation: The draft UGC guidelines 2025 recommend the formation of a search-cum-selection committee appointed solely by the Chancellor or Visitor, with no representation from the state government. 
  • The guidelines also vest the Chancellor/Visitor with exclusive powers to appoint vice-chancellors from the panel recommended by the committee.
  •  Further, they include provisions for nullifying Vice-Chancellor appointments made outside these prescribed rules.
• Subjectivity in Evaluations: Critics of the guidelines point out that the emphasis on qualitative assessments may lead to inconsistencies without a clear rubric for evaluating subjective factors like teaching innovation and societal contributions. This could introduce bias into the recruitment process.
• Politicization Risks: With an increased role for Governors in VC appointments, there are concerns about the potential politicization of appointments, which could erode the academic autonomy of universities.
  • For instance, Maharashtra’s attempt in 2021 to limit the Governor’s power over VC appointments is a direct response to concerns about the politicization of appointments. The state’s move to restore Governor’s authority in 2022 following a change in government has led to accusations of using academic positions for political gains. Such concerns are widespread, particularly in regions where state governments view the Governor’s actions as an extension of central political interests. 
• Job Security and Casualization of Faculty: The removal of the cap on contract-based faculty appointments raises concerns about the casualization of academic jobs. Critics fear this could lead to insecurity for faculty members, as contract-based appointments may offer fewer long-term guarantees and benefits.
  •  For example, a 2021 study by the All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations (AIFUCTO) found that over 60% of university teachers in India were on temporary or contract-based contracts, with no long-term job security. This reliance on contract faculty not only affects job stability but may also diminish the quality of education, as temporary faculty might not be as committed to long-term educational goals as permanent staff.
• Resource Disparities: While the guidelines address governance and recruitment, they do not tackle systemic issues such as inadequate funding and infrastructure, which continue to affect many universities in India.
• • For instance, a 2022 report by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) revealed that only 50% of India’s universities had adequate teaching infrastructure, and a significant number of institutions struggled with outdated facilities. This resource gap disproportionately affects public universities, which are often underfunded compared to their private counterparts.

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Way Forward

• Holistic Assessment: Emphasize comprehensive evaluations that consider teaching, research, community engagement, and societal contributions, beyond just traditional academic metrics.
• Openness and Transparency: Ensure that the recruitment, promotion, and grievance redressal processes remain transparent and accountable to foster trust within the academic community. 
• Leadership and Governance: Strengthen leadership within universities, promoting effective governance while safeguarding institutional autonomy.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Foster a diverse academic community by addressing systemic barriers and promoting equity in hiring and recruitment.
• Excellence and Innovation: Encourage academic excellence and innovation in research, teaching, and community engagement.
• Resource Allocation and Sustainability: Ensure equitable resource allocation to universities and address structural issues such as funding disparities and inadequate infrastructure.