LDF-era Private Universities Bill withdrawn after President's approval

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Private Universities Bill passed by the previous LDF government has become invalid after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to its withdrawal. The President approved the state government's request to withdraw the 2025 Bill, paving the way for the government to introduce a fresh legislation.

The Assembly had passed a resolution on October 12 to withdraw the Bill. The state government subsequently sought the President's approval through the Governor. The Bill, passed during the previous LDF government's tenure, had not received presidential assent. The government has now indicated that a new Bill will be introduced soon. The new legislation is expected to leave out several controversial provisions in the earlier Bill, including the reservation of 40 per cent of seats for students permanently residing in Kerala. Kerala remains the only state in the country without a private university.

The Assembly's Subject Committee had pointed out that the 40 per cent Kerala quota in the original Bill could be unconstitutional, as the Supreme Court had ruled in a PG medical admission case that domicile should not be a criterion for admission. The earlier Bill also provided reservation and fee concessions for students from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, along with scholarships. Another provision that allowed universities to establish sub-campuses by bringing any number of colleges across Kerala under their control, even outside the main campus, is also likely to be dropped as it violates UGC regulations. Universities will be allowed to establish sub-campuses only after completing five years of operation.

The proposed private universities will be multidisciplinary institutions offering courses in various fields, including engineering, law, pharmacy and paramedical sciences. The government may also relax the earlier requirement that only trusts, agencies and groups with a deposit of Rs 25 crore in the treasury and at least 10 acres of land could apply to establish private universities.