The new UGC rules draft gives universities more power in faculty appointments. It removes the API system, changes vice-chancellor selection, and promotes flexibility. Feedback is open until February 28.
The new UGC rules draft gives universities more power in faculty appointments. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared these changes in the Lok Sabha. The draft was introduced in January 2025 by the UGC. It aims to reshape higher education in India with more flexibility. Institutions will now have greater control over hiring faculty members.
Key Changes in the Draft
The new UGC rules draft allows universities to select their faculty independently. State governments will also have a bigger role in teacher appointments. These changes promote flexibility, inclusivity, and innovation in education.
The draft introduces a three-member committee for appointing vice-chancellors. The governor’s nominee will be the chairperson of this committee. Two other members will be from the UGC and the university’s apex body. This process aims to make appointments more transparent and fair.
Opposition to the Draft Regulations
Several opposition leaders and educators have criticized the new UGC rules draft. They believe it reduces state government control in university appointments. On February 5, six opposition-ruled states passed a resolution against it. These states include Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. They want the UGC to reconsider key provisions.
Concerns raised by opposition leaders include:
- Less state control in appointing university vice-chancellors.
- Removal of the API system, which increases subjective evaluation.
- Allowing non-academic professionals as vice-chancellors affects academic integrity.
Changes in Teacher Evaluation
The new UGC rules draft removes the old API system. It is used to evaluate faculty mainly through research publications. Now, a broader framework will assess faculty members.
New evaluation criteria include:
- Teaching in Indian languages to support regional knowledge.
- Research in Indian Knowledge Systems to preserve traditional studies.
- Overall teaching contributions, beyond just research publications.
Instead of fixed numerical scores, expert opinions will decide research quality. This method makes faculty evaluation more flexible and comprehensive.
Extended Deadline for Feedback
The deadline for submitting feedback is now February 28. Earlier, the last date was February 5. The extension allows universities, faculty, and policymakers to share their views. More time will help improve the final version of the draft.
Alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
The new UGC rules draft follows the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This policy promotes reforms, inclusivity, and research in education. The draft aims to modernize India’s higher education system.
Goals of the new regulations include:
- Encouraging research and innovation in universities.
- Improving academic standards for better education quality.
- Making faculty selection and evaluation more flexible.
- Supporting India’s long-term education vision, Viksit Bharat 2047.
Final Thoughts
The new UGC rules draft brings major changes to India’s higher education system. It gives universities more freedom but reduces state control. The removal of the API system and new selection methods are key changes. Some leaders support it, while others strongly oppose it. The deadline for feedback is February 28. This gives stakeholders time to share their opinions before final approval.
