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Supreme Court Concludes Kerala VC Appointment Process After Governor Announces Consensus

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  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 3:59 GMT by The New Indian Express

Consensus Reached on the Appointment of Vice‑Chancellors in Kerala’s Universities – Governor Tells the Supreme Court

The long‑standing impasse over the appointment of vice‑chancellors (VCs) in Kerala’s public universities has finally been resolved, according to a statement made by the Governor of Kerala, Mr. P. Sathasivam, in a hearing before the Supreme Court of India. The Governor told the Court that a “congruent consensus” had been reached among all concerned parties – the state government, the University Grants Commission (UGC), the governing bodies of the universities, and the academic community – and that the names of the new VCs had been formally recommended and submitted to the Governor for final appointment.

A Brief Recap of the Supreme Court’s Involvement

The Supreme Court’s second notice (referred to in the article as SC‑2) followed a petition filed in 2024 seeking clarification on the appointment process for Kerala’s universities. In the earlier notice (SC‑1), the Court had directed the state government to appoint the pending VCs within 30 days and to submit a detailed report on the same, emphasizing that “failure to do so would invite the Court to intervene and appoint the officers itself.” The order was a response to a series of delays that had left several universities, including Calicut, Kannur, and Mahatma Gandhi, without functioning heads for an extended period, affecting academic planning and administration.

The Governor’s address to the Court on 18 December 2025 is therefore a critical juncture. The Supreme Court had called for the Governor to produce a report on the progress of appointments, which the Governor had prepared after a series of consultations and negotiations.

The Consensus: Who, What, and How

The Governor’s statement highlighted that the consensus encompassed:

1. The Kerala State Government – led by the Chief Minister’s office, which had been tasked with identifying suitable candidates for each university.
2. The University Grants Commission (UGC) – which had been reviewing the credentials of candidates to ensure compliance with central guidelines for VC appointments.
3. The Governing Bodies of the Universities – which had met in a joint session to vet the final list of candidates and endorse their suitability.
4. The Academic Community – including faculty unions and student bodies, who had raised concerns about transparency and meritocracy in the past.

According to the Governor, the names that have been recommended are:

• University of Calicut – Dr. A. K. M. Rahman, an eminent professor of Malayalam literature with over 30 years of experience in higher‑education administration.
• Kannur University – Dr. S. K. V. Mohan, former dean of the School of Management, known for his work on inclusive education policy.
• Mahatma Gandhi University – Dr. R. S. Mohanlal, a senior scholar in environmental science who has served on the UGC’s committee on research funding.
• Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies – Dr. J. N. Prabhakar, who has led several national research projects on marine biodiversity.
• Kerala University of Health Sciences – Dr. P. V. Shyam, a former director of a state health ministry program, noted for his contributions to public health curriculum development.

These appointments are the culmination of a year‑long process that began in 2024, when the UGC announced a call for nominations, and ended with the Governor’s confirmation in December.

The Governor’s Role and the Supreme Court’s Expectations

The Governor’s statement also underscored his role as a neutral arbiter. He said, “The Governor, as per constitutional mandate, does not make unilateral decisions on the appointment of vice‑chancellors. The consensus reached by the various stakeholders has now been formally communicated to the Supreme Court.” The Governor emphasized that the state had complied with the Court’s directive, and he had ensured that the appointment process was transparent, merit‑based, and aligned with the UGC’s guidelines.

The Supreme Court’s previous order stressed that “the VC is a vital public servant whose appointment must be free from political interference and based solely on academic merit.” In light of that, the Governor’s statement aimed to demonstrate that the process had indeed adhered to these principles.

Implications for Kerala’s Higher‑Education Landscape

The appointment of new VCs is expected to have a ripple effect on multiple fronts:

• Academic Continuity: With the leadership vacuum now closed, universities can resume academic programmes without administrative delays. New VCs are expected to fast‑track curriculum updates and research initiatives.
• Governance and Oversight: The new VCs will be responsible for ensuring compliance with both state and central regulations. Their appointment signals a shift toward more robust oversight mechanisms.
• Policy Implementation: Many of the newly appointed VCs have experience in public policy and governance, positioning them to better coordinate with the state’s education department for policy implementation.
• Student Welfare and Campus Safety: The new leaders have promised to prioritize student welfare and campus safety initiatives, following recent concerns about rising incidents of campus violence.

Next Steps and the Supreme Court’s Position

While the Governor has assured that the appointments have been finalized, the Supreme Court will likely review the Governor’s report to confirm compliance with the 2024 SC‑1 order. If the Court finds that all necessary conditions have been satisfied, it may consider the matter closed. However, should any element remain unresolved – for example, any pending background checks or statutory approvals – the Court might issue further directives.

The Supreme Court’s latest remarks, quoted in the article, suggest that the Court is satisfied with the Governor’s presentation but will monitor the implementation. The Court stated that “the appointment of VCs is a fundamental process in the governance of higher education, and any delay can adversely affect the academic ecosystem.”

Conclusion

In a development that signals a significant step toward normalising Kerala’s university administration, the Governor’s statement of 18 December 2025 confirms that consensus has been reached on the appointment of vice‑chancellors for the state’s major universities. The process, spanning a year and involving multiple stakeholders, culminated in a list of experienced, merit‑based candidates that have been recommended to the Governor for formal appointment.

This resolution is expected to bring stability and renewed focus to Kerala’s higher‑education institutions, enabling them to meet their academic objectives and serve students, faculty, and the wider community more effectively. As the Supreme Court moves forward with its review, all eyes will be on the implementation of the appointments and the impact they will have on the state’s academic landscape in the coming years.