Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has strongly opposed the draft University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2025, rejecting the proposed provisions for appointing vice-chancellors and other academic staff in universities.
In a letter addressed to the UGC chairman on Wednesday, Debi Prasad Mishra, chairman of the BJD Coordination & Activities Committee, expressed concerns over what the party termed as the “anti-federal nature” of the draft regulations.
“The BJD firmly objects to the draft 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. The proposed rules grant absolute power to state governors—and, by extension, the central government—to appoint vice-chancellors and academic staff in universities, including state-run institutions, without any involvement of the respective state governments,” the letter stated.
Mishra argued that this move undermines the federal structure of governance, which is a fundamental part of the Indian Constitution, and disregards the principles of cooperative federalism. He warned that such a regulation would severely compromise the autonomy of higher education institutions across states.
The BJD urged the UGC to reconsider the proposed regulations and ensure a more transparent, participatory, and inclusive selection process for vice-chancellors and academic staff in state universities. The party insisted that state governments must have a significant role in the appointment process and that the search-cum-selection committee should include representatives from the respective state governments and universities.
Additionally, the regional party emphasized the need for a transparent appointment process, with clear accountability for the search committee and appointing authorities. It also called for consistent consultation and collaboration between the UGC, state governments, and universities to uphold cooperative governance.
“We hope the UGC will take our concerns into account and amend the draft regulations before finalizing them to respect federal principles, safeguard the autonomy of state universities, and protect the interests of all stakeholders,” the BJD’s letter concluded.
