The new norms make the Chancellor the sole authority, even with regard to the selection of the search committee for the appointment of the VC, he pointed out.

“There is no doubt that giving too much authority to the Chancellor in the formation of the search committee will lead to the appointment of representatives of the BJP government as VCs in the universities of Kerala,” Satheesan alleged.

He stated that this would further deepen the existing crisis in the higher education sector and emphasised that it is the duty to strongly oppose any action that could harm the sector.

“In this situation, it would be appropriate if the Assembly passes a resolution against the draft regulations of the UGC,” Satheesan said in the letter.

The draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment & Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, were released on January 6.

According to the Union Ministry of Education, the draft guidelines aim to provide flexibility to universities in appointing and promoting teachers and academic staff in their institutions.