Kochi: Keralam Higher Education Minister Roji M John has defended the state's decision to relax approval requirements for self-financing courses in autonomous colleges, saying institutions will no longer need a government No Objection Certificate (NOC) to introduce such courses or increase their intake.
Speaking to reporters in Kochi on Sunday, Roji said permission from the concerned university would be sufficient for these changes. He maintained that the relaxation was intended to strengthen academic autonomy and reduce delays in introducing new programmes.
The minister's clarification came after Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan demanded the withdrawal of the revised guidelines, alleging that they would encourage the commercialisation of higher education and benefit private college managements.
Roji rejected the allegations, arguing that introducing self-financing courses would not create any financial liability for the state government.
"Government and aided colleges must obtain government's NOC to start new courses," he said, stressing that the relaxation did not apply to government colleges or aided courses.
He also argued that requiring colleges to wait for government clearance before introducing new programmes could delay academic processes. According to the minister, the decision was taken in accordance with University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines and was aimed at retaining students within Keralam by making courses more relevant to changing academic interests.
The Higher Education Department issued a circular on November 6, outlining the revised procedures for NOCs in self-financing and autonomous colleges. The department's official circular register confirms the date and reference number.
The revised rules remove the requirement for prior government NOCs for introducing new self-financing courses in autonomous colleges, including the self-financing streams of aided autonomous institutions.
For increases in existing self-financing courses, the respective universities or regulatory authorities can take decisions without separate government approval.
However, the relaxation does not cover all courses. Government approval continues to be necessary for introducing new aided courses in government, aided and autonomous colleges, as well as for permanent increases in seats under the aided stream.
The revised procedure also replaces annual renewal of NOCs with a three-year renewal cycle. Universities are required to report details of new courses and seat increases to the government after the admission process is completed each academic year.
Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly criticised the decision and demanded that the government withdraw the November 6 circular.
On Sunday, Vijayan alleged that the government had diluted the earlier restrictions after facing pressure from private college managements.
He pointed out that a September 11 circular had required prior government approval for introducing new courses and increasing seats in government, aided and autonomous colleges.
Vijayan questioned the timing of the revised guidelines, alleging that the government had relaxed the conditions after representatives of college managements met the Higher Education Minister.
He also raised concerns about the removal of annual inspections and the provision allowing colleges to report seat increases after completing admissions.
Describing the move as a threat to merit-based admissions and reservation provisions, he alleged that the changes could create opportunities for colleges to sell seats and collect bribes.
"This ill-conceived collusion is taking place despite the assurances given before the Supreme Court that self-financing courses would not be allowed in aided colleges on a large scale," he contended.
He demanded a comprehensive legal inquiry into the department's decision.
Responding to the criticism, Roji said autonomous status was granted to institutions based on their academic performance and that the revised rules were intended to give them greater flexibility in designing courses.
He argued that introducing changes to conventional programmes could make colleges more attractive to students who might otherwise pursue higher education outside Keralam.
The minister also maintained that the revised guidelines would not alter merit-based seat allocations or reservation policies.
The dispute has brought the state's regulatory oversight of self-financing education back into focus, particularly over the balance between institutional autonomy and government supervision.