AISF Leads Charge Against Controversial UGC Draft Regulations

The All India Students' Federation led a protest against new UGC draft regulations, arguing it undermines university autonomy and state rights. The regulations aim to enhance governor roles in vice-chancellor appointments, but face opposition from non-BJP states and student bodies for centralizing control in education.

The All India Students' Federation (AISF) staged a protest march against the draft UGC regulations 2024 and 2025, urging an immediate withdrawal, at the UGC Bhawan. The student body views the proposals as a threat to constitutional principles and university autonomy, an official statement confirmed.

The draft guidelines aim to replace 2018 UGC standards, providing universities with more flexibility in hiring and promotions, according to the Union Ministry of Education. However, this has led to political controversy, particularly in non-BJP-ruled states, questioning the infringement on state rights and increased central control over higher education.

Critics of the draft cite the enhanced roles of centrally-appointed governors in selecting vice-chancellors in universities as a reduction of state institution autonomy. AISF and other opposition parties see these changes as detrimental to democratic decision-making in education governance.