Higher education ministers and representatives from seven states, including Karnataka, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Kerala, gathered in Bengaluru to oppose the newly proposed University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. They adopted a 15-point resolution criticising the changes, which they claim undermine the federal structure of education governance.

Punjab, governed by the Aam Aadmi Party, expressed its opposition as well, despite being unable to attend the meeting due to elections in Delhi.

The draft regulations, released by the Union government in January, suggest revisions to the appointment process for academic and administrative staff and grant chancellors more authority in choosing vice-chancellors. These changes would apply across central, state, private, and deemed universities.

The resolution emphasised that state governments must have a key role in appointing vice-chancellors for public universities. The representatives argued that the proposed rules disregard this crucial role, limiting states’ authority in forming selection committees.

Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian highlighted how education is deeply connected to the unique culture and local needs of each state. He stressed that excluding states from key decisions, despite their investment in universities and resources, undermines accountability and effective governance.

Telangana minister Sridhar Babu described the draft regulations as “drastic and draconian”, urging the Union government to reconsider.

The states collectively demanded the withdrawal of the proposed regulations and called for a more inclusive approach that respects state autonomy in higher education governance.

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