The University Grants Commission (UGC) issued draft regulations regarding the recruitment of vice chancellors, teachers, and academic staff in university colleges on January 6, after which a controversy erupted and eventually took a political turn. As per the draft regulation, industry experts, as well as senior professionals from public administration, public policy, and public sector undertakings, may soon be eligible for appointment as vice chancellors. The Union Education Ministry says that this draft aims to make the appointment and promotion of teachers and academic staff in universities more flexible.

The new guidelines will also amend the criteria for appointment of faculty members in universities, allowing those holding postgraduate degrees in Masters of Engineering (ME) and Masters of Technology (MTech) with at least 55 per cent marks to be directly recruited at the assistant professor level without having to clear the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (NET).

This draft has led to a controversy with the NDA’s biggest ally, the JDU, too, joining the Opposition by criticising the draft, accusing it of limiting the role of the state government in the matter of higher education. The other NDA partner, the LJP (Ramvilas), has also said that there should be a discussion on it in the Parliament. Meanwhile, Kerala has become the first state to pass a resolution against the UGC draft in the Assembly, while non-BJP-ruled states of Karnataka........

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