Jharkhand Chief Minister Gains Authority Over University Appointments

In a session marked by minor opposition protests, the Jharkhand Assembly passed five bills. These included the Jharkhand State University Bill 2025, the Jharkhand Professional Educational Institutions (Fee Regulation) Bill 2025, the Jharkhand Coaching Center (Control and Regulation) Bill 2025, the Jharkhand Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill 2025, and the Jharkhand Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Special Exemption) Bill. The Jharkhand State University Bill 2025 grants the Chief Minister of Jharkhand the authority to appoint Vice-Chancellors (VCs), Pro-Vice-Chancellors (Pro-VCs), Registrars, Controller of Examinations, and Financial Advisors within state universities. Furthermore, the state government will now decide on the recruitment and promotion of teachers and non-teaching staff in universities and colleges. The Pro-VC or the Minister of Higher and Technical Education will preside over the Senate, which will convene twice a year. The Jharkhand Professional Educational Institutions (Fee Regulation) Bill 2025 aims to regulate fees in private professional educational institutions. A regulatory framework will be established to determine fee structures and prevent arbitrary charges. A grievance redressal mechanism will also be set up for students. To oversee coaching centers, a state-level authority will be formed under the Jharkhand Coaching Center (Control and Regulation) Bill 2025, with both state and district-level regulatory bodies. Mandatory registration will be implemented for all coaching centers, students, teachers, and mental health counselors. Coaching centers will be required to provide career guidance and psychological counseling services from registered mental health counselors. The Jharkhand Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Special Exemption) Bill 2025 grants exemptions from approvals and inspections for MSMEs. The Jharkhand Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill 2025 establishes a regulatory mechanism to ensure decent work, set minimum wages, and provide social security for gig workers, including independent contractors and platform-based workers. A registration system will be implemented for gig workers to ensure their welfare.