T.N. universities’ V-Cs in a dilemma over Governor’s invitation to higher education conference

Governor R.N. Ravi calls for a conference with university V-Cs, sparking discussion among academicians in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s call to private, Central and State university Vice-Chancellors to participate in a conference to be held on Friday (April 25, 2025) has triggered a heated discussion among academicians.  

The conference will be inaugurated by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar at Udhagamandalam. But what has surprised academicians is the timing: it is being held just a week after a meeting presided over by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who, following a recent Supreme Court ruling, is now the Chancellor of State-run universities.The top court had declared the Tamil Nadu Governor’s prolonged refusal to give assent to 10 Bills as illegal and erroneous in law.

In light of these developments, it remains to be seen whether the V-Cs of State universities will attend the meeting. Of the 22 universities, 12 are functioning without a V-C. The State Higher Education Department had rejected the Governor’s (then Chancellor) insistence on including the University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman’s nominee in the V-C search panel for universities.  

At present, a convener committee is heading the universities without a V-C. The Higher Education Secretary is the convener in many of these universities. It is unclear whether the Secretary or his representative would attend the meeting.  

It is also unclear whether the Governor has been stripped of all powers of Chancellor, says former V-C of University of Madras S.P. Thyagarajan. “The Governor, by virtue of the right vested in him by the Constitution, is still the Chancellor. He has the power to nominate members to the Syndicate,” he says.

It is a tricky situation for the V-Cs; they were appointed by the Governor as the Chancellor, and are obliged to attend the meeting, he adds. “They will be embarrassed and worried as to how the government will take it. This is an administrative embarrassment. In light of the original constitutional powers of the Governor, they also face a moral embarrassment,” Prof. Thyagarajan says.  

The Chancellor’s role includes reviewing a university’s upkeep and maintaining academic standards. The Chancellor must address with the Chief Minister administrative and financial difficulties and issues such as the elevation of standards, as the State government is funding the varsities. The Governor also has a role in disciplinary-related issues. He has the power to terminate the services of erring persons, on recommendation of the government, Prof. Thyagarajan explains.