Governor’s role in higher education

Governor’s role in higher education

Sub: Polity

Sec: Executive

Context: –

• Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said the responsibility for higher education in the state lies with the Governor.
• It was in response to Kerala’s CM criticism of the new draft regulations of the UGC that place significant power in the hands of Governors as Chancellors of the universities in the states, including their role in the selection of vice-chancellors.

Constitutional Provisions: –

• Education comes under the Concurrent List (Seventh Schedule, List III) 
• Entry 66 of the Union List (Seventh Schedule, List I) — “coordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions” gives the Centre substantial authority over higher education.

What are the Governor’s Powers?

• State public universities are established through laws passed by state legislatures.  In most laws the Governor has been designated as the Chancellor of these universities.
•  The Chancellor functions as the head of public universities, and appoints the Vice-Chancellor of the university.
• Further, the Chancellor can declare invalid, any university proceeding which is not as per existing laws.
•  In some states (such as Bihar, Gujarat, and Jharkhand), the Chancellor has the power to conduct inspections in the university.
• The Chancellor also presides over the convocation of the university, and confirms proposals for conferring honorary degrees.
• In 1997, the Supreme Court held that the Governor was not bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, while discharging duties of a separate statutory office (such as the Chancellor).

UGC

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is a statutory body established in 1956 under the UGC Act, 1956. It is tasked with the coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards in higher education in India.

For institutions to be UGC-approved universities, UGC has established additional requirements or standards.

Universities Regulated by the UGC

• Central universities: Set up by the national government, these tend to be larger and well-known.
• State universities: Run by each state, these often have many affiliated colleges in smaller towns. They mainly offer undergraduate courses. Some older colleges may offer higher degrees, too.
• Deemed universities: Special institutes recognized for their excellence. They are given some freedom to set their own rules.
• Private universities: Approved by the national government, these can grant degrees. They are often focused on specific fields. They can’t have affiliated colleges like state universities.