Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Tamil Nadu Congress Backs Higher Education Reform Proposals
Tamil Nadu wants to improve its colleges and universities.
Congress leader Manickam Tagore thanked Chief Minister Vijay for supporting the plan.
He said many universities are short of money for research, buildings and teaching.
Some income from distance-learning courses has been lost, and some funds have been frozen.
Tagore also said corruption should be stopped.
He said universities should not be controlled by political or right-wing groups.
The government plan could help more than 2,150 institutions and over 60 universities.
The goal is to help more students attend higher education, with enrolment rising above 50 percent.
Manickam Tagore thanked Chief Minister Vijay for supporting proposed higher education reforms in Tamil Nadu.
Tagore said universities face financial and structural pressures, including reduced distance-education revenue and frozen University Grants Commission funds.
He called for action against corruption, university financial strain and attempts by RSS-linked forces to gain influence.
Higher Education Minister Viswanathan is presenting the department’s demand for grants in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday.
The proposals aim to revive more than 2,150 institutions and over 60 universities while raising the state’s higher-education enrolment ratio above 50 percent.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore, Chief Minister Vijay and Higher Education Minister Viswanathan are identified as key figures.
- What
- The state is considering financial and structural reforms to strengthen its higher education sector.
- When
- Higher Education Minister Viswanathan is presenting the department’s demand for grants on Monday.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu, including the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
- Why
- Universities are facing financial and structural challenges, while the government aims to improve access, research, infrastructure and academic standards.
- Institutions targeted
- More than 2,150 higher education institutions
- Universities targeted
- Over 60 universities across Tamil Nadu
- Enrolment goal
- Raise the state’s Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education beyond 50 percent
- Financial pressures
- Loss of distance-education revenue, frozen University Grants Commission funds and depleted university reserves
- Proposed priorities
- Research, infrastructure, academic development, teacher empowerment and international-standard education
- Legislative action
- Higher Education Minister Viswanathan is presenting the department’s demand for grants on Monday
- Historical reference
- Tagore invoked former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj’s view that education is the foundation of social progress