Politics · India · 8 hrs ago
Vijayan seeks withdrawal of Kerala college seat-increase circular
Pinarayi Vijayan has demanded that Kerala withdraw a circular allowing some colleges to increase student seats without prior government approval.
The rule applies to autonomous aided and self-financing colleges.
A Higher Education Department circular issued on September 11 had required prior approval for new courses and seat increases in government, aided and autonomous colleges.
Vijayan, the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, said the change followed pressure from private college managements.
He warned that less government scrutiny could commercialise education and undermine merit, reservation and the rights of poorer students.
Vijayan also called for a legal inquiry into the changes and said the government should withdraw the circular.
Pinarayi Vijayan demanded that Kerala’s government withdraw a circular allowing some colleges to increase seats without prior government approval.
The Leader of the Opposition alleged that the change could commercialise education and weaken government regulation.
He said the move followed pressure from private college managements, an allegation not addressed in the article by the government.
Vijayan also called for a comprehensive legal inquiry into the alleged dilution of an earlier circular.
- Who
- Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly and a former chief minister.
- What
- He demanded the withdrawal of a circular allowing certain colleges to increase seats without prior government approval.
- When
- Sunday, November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Kerala, India.
- Why
- He said the change could commercialise education and weaken regulation; he alleged it followed pressure from private college managements.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A Higher Education Department circular made prior government approval mandatory for introducing new courses and increasing seats in government, aided and autonomous colleges.
Vijayan demanded withdrawal of the government circular and called for a comprehensive legal inquiry.
- Earlier circular
- September 11
- Demand
- Withdraw the government circular allowing certain colleges to increase seats without prior approval
- Colleges named
- Autonomous aided and self-financing colleges
- Speaker
- Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly
1 source
What people are saying
The current provision that no government no-objection certificate (NOC) is required for starting unaided courses and increasing seats in autonomous aided and self-financing colleges is shocking
This ill-conceived collusion is taking place despite the assurances given before the Supreme Court that self-financing courses would not be allowed in aided colleges on a large scale