Governor Stalls Kalaignar University Bill

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi has referred the Kalaignar University Bill, passed by the state legislative assembly in April, to President Droupadi Murmu for consideration, a senior Secretariat official confirmed.

The bill proposes establishing Kalaignar University in Kumbakonam by bifurcating Bharathidasan University to address the higher education needs of students in Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, and Tiruvarur districts. Named in honor of former Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, the university is set to have incumbent Chief Minister M K Stalin as its first Vice Chancellor once approved.

The Governor also forwarded a second bill amending the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University Act, which would grant the state government authority to appoint and remove the sports university’s Vice Chancellor. Both bills, passed earlier this year, are pending presidential assent, causing delays in their implementation.

State Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan had previously announced that Kalaignar University would commence operations in the 2025-26 academic year, aiming to enhance educational access in the region. However, the prolonged wait for approval has postponed the university’s inauguration, raising concerns among stakeholders about the timeline for its operational launch, the official noted.

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