Kerala government introduces digital university amendment bill

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Monday introduced a Bill in the Assembly to amend the 2021 State Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology Act, seeking to regulate the appointment of vice-chancellors and ensure adherence to proper legal procedures.

Law Minister P Rajeev presented the "Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2025' on behalf of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He explained that the amendment specifies the composition of the search-cum-selection committee for vice-chancellor appointments, the procedure for preparing candidate panels, and the age and tenure of the post, aligning fully with University Grants Commission norms.

“The amendment ensures that vice-chancellors are appointed in accordance with UGC regulations,” Rajeev said, adding that the Supreme Court had affirmed the state government’s authority in the selection of vice-chancellors for technical and digital universities. “The apex court has empowered the state to decide the priority order of the panel submitted by the search committee, which underscores the state’s prerogative in these appointments.”

Under the proposed changes, the search committee must be constituted at least three months before a vacancy, submit a panel of three names within two months, and the chancellor will appoint a vice-chancellor from that panel. The term of office will be four years or until the age of seventy, whichever comes first.