Assam Legislative Assembly Passes Gurucharan University (Amendment) Bill, 2025; VC to be appointed by June

In a significant move to refine the administrative framework of Gurucharan University, the Assam Legislative Assembly passed the Gurucharan University (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on March 24, 2025. The bill, which amends the Gurucharan University Act, 2023, introduces key changes to the appointment process of the university’s Vice-Chancellor, aiming to streamline governance and enhance operational efficiency. The amendment was passed during the 15th Budget Session of the Assembly, which was adjourned sine die yesterday (March 25).

The amendment bill modifies two critical sections of the principal Act—Sections 12 and 57—concerning the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor:

The revised Section 12(1) stipulates that the first Vice-Chancellor will be directly appointed by the State Government, diverging from the original process. The amendment states, “The first Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the State Government. The Chancellor (the Governor of Assam) shall appoint the subsequent Vice-Chancellor on the recommendation of an Advisory Board which shall consist of three members, one each shall be nominated by the Chancellor, the Executive Council and the State Government. The Chancellor shall appoint one of them as the Chairman of the Advisory Board.”

Amendment to Section 57:

The updated Section 57(7) mandates that the State Government appoint the first Vice-Chancellor within three months from the commencement of the Act, on terms and conditions it deems fit. This replaces the earlier provision, which allowed the Chancellor to appoint the first Vice-Chancellor with Advisory Board input, aligning the initial appointment more closely with state authority during the university’s transitional phase.

The Gurucharan University Act, 2023, enacted on November 22, 2023, and published in The Assam Gazette on December 8, 2023, established Gurucharan University by upgrading the existing Gurucharan College in Silchar into a teaching, research-oriented, affiliating, and semi-residential institution. Key provisions from the original Act include:

Purpose and Powers: The Act (Section 6) empowers the university to provide instruction in various branches of learning, including Open and Distance Learning (ODL) courses, conduct research, affiliate colleges, grant degrees, and collaborate with other institutions for knowledge transfer, all with prior approval from the Government of Assam.

The university is governed by a Chancellor (the Governor of Assam), a Vice-Chancellor, and bodies like the Executive Council, Academic Council, and Court, ensuring a comprehensive administrative framework (Sections 9-30).
Transitory Provisions: Section 57 originally outlined the transition of staff, assets, and liabilities from Gurucharan College to the university, with the first Vice-Chancellor tasked with framing initial statutes and ordinances within three to six months (Section 57(8)).

The 2025 amendment reflects the state’s intent to exert greater control over the university’s foundational leadership while maintaining a collaborative approach for subsequent appointments. By vesting the initial Vice-Chancellor appointment with the State Government, the amendment ensures the swift establishment of leadership, which is critical for the university’s early operational phase. The retention of an Advisory Board for future appointments preserves a merit-based selection process, aligning with the university’s academic ethos.

With the bill now in force, the State Government is expected to announce the first Vice-Chancellor by June 2025, marking a pivotal moment for Gurucharan University as it transitions into a full-fledged academic institution.