UGC Draft Regulations on Vice-Chancellors Appointment

The University Grants Commission's (UGC) recent draft regulations concerning the appointment of vice-chancellors (V-Cs) have intensified Centre-state tensions.

Overview of Draft Regulations

• The draft, dated January 7, seeks to address ambiguities in the 2018 regulations regarding V-C appointments.
• These regulations seem to enhance the Centre's influence over state-funded universities.

Role of the Governor

The governor, as the Centre's representative, plays a central role in the controversy, particularly concerning the qualifications for the V-C role.

• Traditionally, the governor acts as the chancellor of state universities.
• The new regulations grant the governor significant power in V-C appointments.

Appointment Process Details

• The 2018 regulations allowed a search committee of "eminent persons" to shortlist candidates.
• The chancellor (governor) would then choose from these recommended candidates.
• State-specific laws guided the composition of these committees in state universities.
• The draft regulations override state laws, dictating the search committee's composition.

Composition of the Search Committee

• Constituted by the governor.
• Includes a member nominated by the chancellor (governor), the UGC chairman, and a member from the university's apex body.
• This structure excludes state governments from the V-C appointment process in state-funded universities.

Concerns and Opposition

States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and West Bengal are notably opposed, with some issues pending in the Supreme Court.

Qualifications for V-Cs

• The draft permits appointments beyond traditional academia, including individuals from industry and public sectors.
• Critics question the benefit of such a diverse talent pool for the V-C role.

Objective and Criticism

The regulations aim to maintain higher education standards, but state governments doubt their effectiveness in improving education quality.

• Past experiences with central universities suggest central influence might inject ideological or political biases into academia.
• The new regulations, while attempting to clarify, add further complexity to Centre-state relations.

Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act Meeting

The government is organizing a meeting with various stakeholders to discuss the draft rules proposed under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act.

Stakeholders Involved

• Industry associations
• Technology policy groups
• Lawyers
• Other relevant stakeholders

Key Government Representatives

• Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology
• Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology
• Other ministry officials

The meeting aims to gather feedback on the draft rules released earlier this month, with comments being accepted until February 18.

Key Provisions of the Draft Rules

• Users below the age of 18 will need verifiable parental consent to access social media.

Context and Relevance

This meeting is part of a broader strategy to position India as a key player in global manufacturing and technology, often referred to as the "China Plus One" strategy. It also ties into discussions on fiscal policies and India's aspirations in advancing its cosmic research and development.