Guv Ravi directs TN govt to recall notification on search committee for VC appointment

CHENNAI: Governor-chancellor RN Ravi on Tuesday urged the MK Stalin government to recall a notification issued by the Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department on January 28, 2025, pertaining to the constitution of a search committee for the appointment of a vice-chancellor to the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University.

According to a statement released by Raj Bhavan, the notification in question has been deemed to be in contravention of the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University Act and the prevailing regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC), 2018.

"The bone of contention lies in the alleged exclusion of the UGC chairman's nominee from the search committee, a move that is said to be in violation of a judgment of the Supreme Court of India," Raj Bhavan said in a statement.

The governor has directed the state government to notify the search committee of the appointment of a vice-chancellor to the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University as constituted by the chancellor.

The search committee, as per the chancellor's constitution, includes nominees from the chancellor, the government of Tamil Nadu, syndicate of the university, and the UGC chairman's nominee.

"The apex court has categorically stated any appointment as vice-chancellor made on the recommendation of a search committee, which is constituted contrary to the provisions of the UGC Regulations, shall be void ab initio," it said.