Keralam Assembly passes resolution seeking withdrawal of Private Universities Bill

Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.

The Keralam Assembly on Monday passed a resolution seeking the withdrawal of the Kerala Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2025, which is pending consideration of the President.

The resolution, moved by Higher Education Minister Roji M. John, was adopted after the House rejected amendments proposed by the Opposition.

The Bill was passed by the Assembly on March 25, 2025, and submitted for the Governor’s assent on April 21, 2025. The Bill was subsequently referred to the President for consideration.

During the scrutiny of the legislation, the Ministry of Home Affairs sought clarification on the provisions concerning compulsory ownership or possession of land and mandatory security deposits or fixed deposits.

Mr. John pointed out that such impediments led to uncertainty surrounding the Bill, which is yet to receive presidential assent or be returned to the State legislature for reconsideration. The continued pendency of the legislation also impeded the government’s plans to establish private universities in Keralam, while several other states have enacted laws permitting private and foreign universities to operate, it was pointed out.