Governor Challenges State Government's Search Committee:
On Wednesday, Governor R N Ravi took a bold step by canceling the search committee formed by the Tamil Nadu State Higher Education Department for appointing a new Vice-Chancellor at Annamalai University. The Governor's office stated that the state’s committee excluded the UGC Chairman’s nominee, violating the Supreme Court’s interpretation of UGC regulations. Ravi, as Chancellor of the University, announced his own search committee, which adhered to the provisions of the Annamalai University Act and UGC guidelines, including the UGC Chairman’s nominee as required.

Legal Basis for the Cancellation:
According to Raj Bhavan's press release, the search committee set up by the State government was not in line with the UGC's 2018 regulations, which have been mandated by the Supreme Court. Ravi’s committee, which consists of the Chancellor’s nominee, representatives from the Tamil Nadu government, UGC Chairman, and the University Syndicate, ensures compliance with these regulations. The Governor has ordered that the committee established by him be officially notified, as the previous one is deemed legally void due to non-compliance with UGC norms.

Ongoing Disputes Between Governor and State Government:
This dispute over Vice-Chancellor appointments has been a recurring issue since Governor Ravi took office in September 2021. The conflict has left multiple state universities without heads and highlights the ongoing tensions between the Governor and the State government. Despite a recent reshuffle in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet, which saw Kovi Chezhian appointed as Minister for Higher Education, the relationship between the government and Raj Bhavan remains strained, especially regarding the inclusion of UGC nominees in search committees for university leadership roles.