Disapproving of the Tamil Nadu government’s constitution and extension of search committees for appointment of Vice-Chancellors of State universities, the Lok Bhavan, on Monday (February 2, 2026), contended the action of the State government was contrary to judicial orders. The Lok Bhavan further stated it considered that “executive actions taken during the pendency of matters before the courts, particularly when interim orders are in force, attract the doctrine of lis pendens. The Hon’ble Court has declared that any appointment of a Vice-Chancellor made on the recommendation of a Search Committee constituted contrary to the UGC Regulations would be void ab initio,” the Lok Bhavan said. “Under the respective State University Acts, the Governor of Tamil Nadu functions as the Chancellor of State Universities. 16 of 2025’, replacing the expression ‘Chancellor’ by the expression ‘Government’ and therefore, the appointing authority of Vice-Chancellors of State Universities henceforth to be the government, it recalled.

Source: The Hindu February 02, 2026 15:10 UTC