HYDERABAD: Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka has reiterated that education is a shared responsibility between the central and state governments, as it falls under the concurrent list of the Indian Constitution. Speaking at the National Higher Education Forum in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, he discussed the implications of the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) draft regulations on state autonomy and highlighted various educational initiatives undertaken in Telangana.
In his presentation, Deputy CM Vikramarka underlined that states are best positioned to develop educational institutions and systems suitable for their unique demographics and challenges. He argued that no state can provide quality education without autonomy and that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective given the diversity among states.
He further stated that when states unite with a common objective, the central government must listen. States are not merely administrative divisions but are vital to the nation’s progress, he added.
The Deputy CM pointed out that only the respective states understand the aspirations and challenges of their youth and students. He criticized the notion of managing educational systems remotely from Delhi, advocating instead for policies that align with local needs. Cooperation, he noted, should be based on consultation, not coercion, and urged the central government to engage in discussions if it truly believes in cooperative federalism.
Highlighting the importance of collective state voices, Deputy CM Vikramarka remarked that history shows unified calls from states can resonate widely. Education, he said, is a means to open minds, not close doors, and it is the responsibility of the current generation to ensure that autonomy and good governance pave the way for future generations.
Critiquing the new UGC regulations, he likened them to a scenario where one is required to pay the bill but cannot order the food, implying that while states are expected to fund and manage universities, their roles in key decisions, such as vice-chancellor appointments and admissions, are being diminished. If this trend continues, he warned, states might be reduced to merely performing ceremonial duties like ribbon-cutting at building inaugurations.
Deputy CM Vikramarka called for all Indian states to unite in embodying the true spirit of federalism. He announced Telangana’s readiness to host the next forum in Hyderabad, aiming to develop a collective action plan representing state interests. He emphasized that diversity is a fundamental characteristic of India’s democracy and must be preserved. States have the right to choose the appropriate path, and failure to make the right decisions could lead to severe consequences.
He also expressed concern that mandatory entrance exams for undergraduate courses could disproportionately disadvantage students from backward communities, potentially limiting their access to higher education.
Citing a Brookings report, Deputy CM Vikramarka noted that Indian higher education institutions have an average enrollment of 690 students, whereas in China, the average is 16,000. Setting a minimum enrollment standard of 3,000 students could cause many institutions to lose opportunities for better rankings and funding. This policy, he argued, favors large corporate and private entities while harming educational institutions operating with welfare objectives. Implementing biannual examinations would require substantial infrastructure and additional teaching staff, necessitating significant financial resources from the states.
As education is listed in the concurrent list, the central government must consult with states on such matters. Deputy CM Vikramarka urged the central government to respect state autonomy in education and health sectors. He referenced Supreme Court rulings, including the Rajasthan vs. Union of India case, which affirmed that India has a federal constitution, and the Kesavananda Bharati vs. State of Kerala case, which recognized federalism as a basic feature of the Indian Constitution.
Highlighting reforms in Telangana’s education sector under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s leadership, Deputy CM Vikramarka detailed initiatives such as establishing integrated residential schools, developing the Young India Skill University, prioritizing teacher recruitment from primary to university levels, promoting skill development in technical courses, encouraging digital education, and strengthening infrastructure in higher education. He noted that students from welfare hostels and gurukul schools have consistently excelled in board and competitive examinations, demonstrating the positive impact of these institutions. Due to the state’s continuous educational progress, Telangana’s student enrollment ratio has increased to 40%, surpassing the national average of 28.4%.
The forum also saw participation from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Higher Education Minister R. Bindu, Karnataka Minister M.C. Sudhakar, Tamil Nadu’s Thiru Govi Chezhiyan, Punjab’s Sardar Harjot Singh, and other prominent educationists.
Participated in the National Convention on Draft UGC Regulations 2025 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, alongside Hon’ble Kerala CM Sri @pinarayivijayan Garu and esteemed delegates.
The proposed regulations seek to divest states of their autonomy subverting the role of states in a… pic.twitter.com/y7oGeHjU5G
— Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu (@Bhatti_Mallu) February 20, 2025
