Kerala Governor flags judicial overreach in university V-C selection

Overview On December 14, 2025 , Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar openly criticized the Supreme Court regarding its intervention in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) in Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) . The Governor's remarks have ignited a debate on the separation of powers and the role of the judiciary in university governance. Key Developments Governor's Criticism The Governor deplored what he perceives as the tendency of one institution usurping the role of another in a democracy. He emphasized that the power to amend the Constitution rests with the Parliament and elected legislatures, while the courts are meant to interpret, not amend, the Constitution. Award Ceremony Mr. Arlekar made these remarks while conferring the Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer Award 2025 , instituted by The Law Trust , to former Chief Justice of India and former Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam at a ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram . V-C Appointment Dispute Referring to the ongoing dispute over V-C appointments, the Governor asserted that the authority to appoint the V-Cs rests with the Chancellor , as laid down in the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. He cited the Supreme Court’s earlier verdict quashing the reappointment of Gopinath Ravindran as the V-C of Kannur University , which upheld the Chancellor's right. Supreme Court's Intervention The Governor questioned the apex court’s decision to appoint search committees for selecting the V-Cs for DUK and KTU . He argued that search committees should be appointed by the Chancellor , a point he claims the court previously acknowledged. He views the court's actions as judicial overreach. Supreme Court's Stand The Governor’s remarks follow the Supreme Court’s intervention in the ongoing V-C dispute in Kerala . The court has taken a firm stance, criticizing the failure of the Governor and the State government to reach a consensus in appointing the V-Cs . The court also directed a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Sudhanshu Dhulia to recommend names for the posts. UPSC Relevance GS2: Polity and Governance This news is highly relevant for GS2: Polity and Governance . It touches upon the roles and powers of constitutional authorities like the Governor, the judiciary, and statutory bodies like the UGC . The debate on judicial overreach and the separation of powers is crucial for understanding Indian polity. GS2: Education The issue also relates to GS2: Education , specifically higher education. The appointment of Vice-Chancellors and the governance of universities are important aspects of educational policy and administration. Exam Perspective Prelims: Focus on the facts – dates, names of universities, committees, and key regulations. Mains: Analyze the constitutional and legal aspects of the dispute. Discuss the implications of judicial intervention in executive functions. Essay: Consider themes like separation of powers, judicial activism, and the autonomy of higher education institutions.