On May 21, 2025, the Madras High Court issued an interim stay on recent amendments enacted by the Tamil Nadu government that transferred the authority to appoint Vice-Chancellors (VCs) of state-run universities from the Governor to the Chief Minister. This decision temporarily halts the implementation of these amendments, maintaining the status quo where the Governor retains the power to appoint VCs.

The court’s ruling came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by K Venkatachalapathy, a BJP functionary, who challenged the constitutional validity of the amendments. The petitioner argued that the changes conflicted with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2018, which prescribe the process for VC appointments, including the involvement of a search committee and approval by the Chancellor, traditionally the Governor.

The Tamil Nadu government had passed these amendments following a Supreme Court ruling on April 8, 2025, which deemed the Governor’s withholding of assent to several bills as unconstitutional. The state government interpreted this as a green light to re-enact the bills, including those altering the VC appointment process.

However, the Madras High Court’s stay order has reignited the legal tussle between the state government and the Governor’s office, highlighting ongoing debates over federalism and the autonomy of educational institutions in India.

Sources