In a letter to Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed strong opposition to the draft regulations issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC), calling for their withdrawal and urging modifications to better suit the needs of states, particularly Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Assembly had earlier passed a resolution on January 9 opposing the UGC draft regulations, terming them an attempt to “usurp” state universities.
Stalin’s letter detailed multiple concerns, including entrance examinations for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the Multiple Entry and Multiple Exit (MEME) system, cross-disciplinary teaching appointments, and the appointment of non-academics as vice-chancellors.
“I write this to express my serious concerns regarding the draft regulations released by the UGC. I wish to mention that several provisions in the draft regulations are in conflict with the State’s educational system and policies,” Stalin said in the letter. He argued that the introduction of entrance exams was unnecessary and burdensome, as the state already employs robust assessment systems through exit exams conducted by state and national boards.
Highlighting the adverse effects of entrance exams, he said that they increase academic anxiety and financial stress, disproportionately impacting economically disadvantaged groups. “If entrance exams are made mandatory, schools may shift their focus to coaching for entrance exams, undermining the core purpose of school education,” he warned, adding that a single entrance exam for the entire country would be impractical and detrimental to federalism.
Tamil Nadu abolished entrance exams in 2006, admitting students to professional courses based on their plus-two marks. The State has also been consistently opposing NEET. The Chief Minister said that the state’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 47% reflects the success of its education system without entrance exams.
He also criticised provisions allowing four-year undergraduate arts or science degree holders to pursue MTech or ME programs, describing it as “disquieting” and potentially problematic for students lacking a solid foundation in engineering principles. Stalin further opposed the Multiple Entry and Multiple Exit (MEME) system, arguing it would legitimize dropouts and undermine efforts to increase higher education enrolment.
Stalin also expressed apprehension over the appointment of non-academicians as vice-chancellors, warning that individuals without academic and administrative experience could compromise the effective leadership of universities. He also opposed cross-disciplinary teaching appointments, contending that allowing individuals to teach subjects without adequate foundational knowledge would negatively affect learning outcomes, particularly at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
“We believe that many such provisions in the draft regulations may pose serious challenges to the academic integrity and autonomy and inclusive development of state universities,” he wrote.
Stalin also reached out to the Chief Ministers of opposition-ruled states, including Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Telangana, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, and New Delhi, urging them to adopt resolutions in their Assemblies against the UGC draft regulations.
“These guidelines are a clear infringement on the rights of state governments and will have far-reaching consequences on the autonomy of our universities..It is crucial that we stand united against these attempts to centralize power and undermine the federal structure of our country,” he wrote.