‘Fully safeguard aided colleges’: Tamil Nadu Assembly clears bill on private universities amid opposition

The Tamil Nadu assembly passed the private universities amendment bill amid strong criticism from the opposition parties. The bill will allow private colleges and government-aided institutes to convert into private universities under “brownfield” nomenclature with a minimum land requirement.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) demanded withdrawal of the bill citing mushrooming of private institutions and undermining of social justice. Earlier, the Association of University Teachers (AUT) had opposed the draft expressing concerns regarding student admissions, reservation policy, fee hike, and job loss.

The higher education minister K Ponmudi Seliyan addressed the Legislative Assembly, urging members to unanimously pass the Tamil Nadu Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, while reiterating the state government’s commitment to student welfare, reservation, and the protection of government-aided institutions.

Responding to the questions raised by some members, the minister reminded the House that it was the previous government in 2019 that had originally introduced the Tamil Nadu Private Universities Act. He clarified that the latest amendment aims only to facilitate the creation of new (greenfield) universities, and the government has no plans to convert existing colleges into private universities.

Land requirement rules revised

Explaining the revised land norms, the education minister said the previous requirement of 100 acres of land has been revised to suit different area conditions. While neighbouring states such as Assam, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh follow varied requirements, Tamil Nadu has, in line, adopted a framework, reducing the required extent in rural areas from 50 acres to 45 acres.

Addressing concerns about reservation policy, Seliyan asserted that Tamil Nadu continues to lead and protect social justice. “Thirty-five per cent of seats in private universities will be reserved for students from Tamil Nadu,” he affirmed.

Also read Tamil Nadu moves Supreme Court against governor over reserved university bill

He added that in medical education, non-minority institutions already allocate 65% of seats to the government, and the amendment now ensures that minority institutions will also surrender 50% of seats for state counselling.

On apprehensions about the fate of government-aided colleges, the minister stated, “Under no circumstances will private institutions be allowed to dominate or undermine the public interest. The government will fully safeguard aided colleges and ensure that students from poor and marginalized backgrounds continue to have access to higher education.”