NEW DELHI: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for their alleged interference in India’s higher education system and claimed that the UGC‘s budget has been slashed by a whopping 61%.
He questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the suspension of the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) scholarship programme, which had been active since 1963.
“BJP-RSS are constantly attacking higher education in India,” Kharge posted on X, adding, “Narendra Modi, you blow your own trumpet with ‘Pariksha Par Charcha’ and ‘Exam Warriors’, but NTSE has been discontinued for three years, as revealed by the newspapers. This scheme, which has been running since 1963, should have amounted to Rs 40 crore, but Rs 62 crore has been spent on PM Modi’s PR.”
The Congress leader expressed concern about the new UGC draft regulations, particularly regarding the enhanced authority given to Governors in appointing University vice chancellors. He viewed this as an infringement on state autonomy.
“UGC’s Draft Regulations 2025 give governors sweeping control over vice-chancellor appointments and allow non-academics to hold these posts, which is a direct attack on federalism and state rights. The BJP-RSS wants only Sangh Parivar VCs to be appointed,” Kharge said.
The Congress chief highlighted the shift in university funding from UGC to HEFA, a partnership between the ministry of education and Canara Bank. He argued that this change would adversely affect students from SC, ST, OBC and EWS communities.
The Congress president explained that universities might need to introduce more self-financed courses due to this new funding structure, potentially creating financial difficulties for students from marginalised backgrounds.
He concluded by stating that the current government is restricting university autonomy and implementing RSS’s Manuwadi ideology in public education, thereby disadvantaging young people.