Chandigarh
14 January 2024
DIVYA AZAD
Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Chairman of Delhi Sikh Colleges under Delhi University has taken up the issue of Reinstation of Minority Educational Institution’s Rights in UGC Draft Guidelines 2025 with Union Education Minister Sh. Dharmendra Pradhan raising a significant concern by highlighting the omission of critical provisions that safeguard the rights of Minority Institutions in the faculty selection process.
Dr. Sahney stated that the draft UGC Guidelines 2025 fail to acknowledge the exceptions provided to Minority Educational Institutions under the UGC Regulations 2010 and 2018, particularly in the composition of selection committees for Assistant Professors and Associate Professors. “This omission not only disregards established precedents but also undermines the essential rights of minorities in managing their institutions,” Dr. Sahney added
Dr. Sahney informed that the Section 4.2 of the draft guidelines, which deals with the composition of selection committees, has left out crucial procedures for Minority Educational Institutions. The guidelines from 2018 explicitly stated that two subject experts, preferably from minority communities, be nominated by the Chairperson of the Governing Body of the College. The absence of this provision in the 2025 draft is deeply concerning.
Dr Sahney stated that the omission of these provisions will directly affects the autonomy all minority colleges, and it also voids the Article 30(1) of the Indian Constitution which guarantees the autonomy of Minority Educational Institutions.
