Mail News Service
Ranchi. Aug 26: The Jharkhand Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Jharkhand State Universities Bill 2025 during its monsoon session, paving the way for significant changes in the governance of universities across the state. The Bill, introduced by Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu, was passed by voice vote despite minor opposition.
BJP legislator Naveen Jaiswal criticized the Bill, calling it politically motivated. “The state government is attempting to politicize education by seizing powers from the Governor,” he said. Minister Sonu countered, noting that a similar law has been in place in Gujarat since 2014. “If this system has functioned in Gujarat for 11 years, why are they not opposing it there? The primary objective here is to bring uniformity and transparency in higher education,” Sonu argued.
Under the new law, the Governor will remain the Chancellor of state universities, while the Higher Education Minister will serve as Pro-Chancellor. Importantly, Vice-Chancellors will now be appointed by the state government rather than the Governor, though in line with UGC eligibility criteria.
A selection committee, headed by the Additional or Principal Secretary of the Higher Education Department, will recommend three to five candidates in alphabetical order, with detailed assessments of their suitability. The state government may accept or reject these recommendations. The appointment process will begin six months before a vacancy arises and Vice-Chancellors can serve until the age of 70, subject to satisfactory performance.
The Bill also establishes a University Service Commission headquartered in Ranchi to oversee recruitment of officers, faculty and principals of constituent colleges. Other provisions include mandatory grievance redressal committees for students and staff, tribunals headed by retired High Court judges and boards for research, innovation, industry linkage, IT, sports, inclusive education and international collaborations.
The legislation represents one of the most sweeping overhauls of university governance in Jharkhand, shifting key appointment powers directly to the state government.
