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Governor removes Vice-Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit

March 05, 2026 4 min read Polity & Governance GS2 (Polity & Governance)
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What Happened

  • Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar removed K.K. Geethakumary from the position of Vice-Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady
  • Dr. Ciza Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, was given additional charge of the university until further orders
  • The official notification from Kerala Raj Bhavan did not specify the reason for removal
  • Background issues included: the Governor freezing a syndicate decision that declared a failed student as having passed, allegations of the VC violating an order freezing assistant professor recruitment, and allegations regarding land allotment for a cricket stadium in violation of existing rules
  • The removal adds to the long-running Governor-state government conflict in Kerala over university governance and Vice-Chancellor appointments

Static Topic Bridges

Governor as Chancellor of State Universities

In most Indian states, the Governor serves as the ex officio Chancellor of state universities by virtue of the respective state university acts (not the Constitution). As Chancellor, the Governor appoints Vice-Chancellors, presides over convocations, and exercises statutory powers over university governance. Importantly, the Supreme Court has held that the Governor acts in the capacity of Chancellor as a separate statutory office and is not bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers in this role.

  • The Governor's role as Chancellor is derived from state university legislation, not the Constitution
  • In 1997, the Supreme Court held that while discharging duties of a separate statutory office (Chancellor), the Governor is not bound by Article 163 (aid and advice of Council of Ministers)
  • UGC Regulations 2018: Vice-Chancellor must be appointed through a search-cum-selection committee; the committee recommends a panel of names, from which the Chancellor appoints
  • Several states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan) have attempted to legislate changes to remove the Governor as Chancellor and transfer VC appointment power to the state government
  • The UGC's role in setting minimum eligibility criteria for VCs has also been a source of friction

Connection to this news: The removal of Geethakumary by Governor Arlekar illustrates the Chancellor's sweeping power over university appointments — a power that state governments argue should rest with elected representatives rather than a centrally appointed Governor.

Supreme Court Rulings on VC Appointments and Removal

The Supreme Court has issued several significant rulings on the Governor-Chancellor's power in university governance. These rulings have attempted to balance the Chancellor's statutory authority with accountability mechanisms and UGC regulatory standards.

  • State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor of Tamil Nadu (2025): Supreme Court ruled that the Governor cannot exercise absolute or pocket veto on state legislation, including bills seeking to change VC appointment processes
  • In Gambhirdan K. Gadhvi v. State of Gujarat (2022): Supreme Court struck down the appointment of Gujarat university VCs for non-compliance with UGC Regulations, holding that UGC norms on search committees are mandatory
  • The Court has repeatedly held that VC appointments must follow UGC Regulations, which mandate a search committee comprising a nominee each of the university, the Chancellor, and the UGC
  • In the Kerala VC controversy (2022), the Supreme Court directed the resignation of VCs of nine Kerala universities appointed without following UGC-mandated search committee procedures
  • In December 2025, the Supreme Court appointed Justice Dhulia to recommend VCs for Kerala universities to break the deadlock between the Governor and the state government

Connection to this news: The removal of the VC without specifying reasons raises accountability concerns. While the Chancellor has statutory power, recent Supreme Court rulings emphasise that such powers must be exercised within the framework of UGC regulations and principles of natural justice.

Centre-State Friction Over Education Governance

Education falls under the Concurrent List (Entry 25, List III, Seventh Schedule) of the Constitution, meaning both Parliament and state legislatures can legislate on it. This dual jurisdiction creates inherent friction, particularly when the Governor — appointed by the Centre — exercises control over state universities as Chancellor, while the state government funds and manages higher education.

  • Education was moved from the State List to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976
  • Entry 25 (Concurrent List): "Education, including technical education, medical education and universities, subject to the provisions of entries 63, 64, 65 and 66 of List I"
  • List I entries retained by Centre: Coordination and determination of standards (Entry 66); institutions of national importance (Entry 63, 64)
  • National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Recommends establishment of a Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) to replace UGC, with separate verticals for regulation, funding, accreditation, and standard-setting
  • States that have attempted to change the Chancellor system: Tamil Nadu (2022 bills to replace Governor with CM as Chancellor), Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan

Connection to this news: The VC removal in Kerala exemplifies the tension in education governance — the Governor (Centre's appointee) exercises unilateral power over a state-funded university, while the state government has limited say in appointments or removals despite being the primary funder.

Key Facts & Data

  • University: Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, Kerala
  • Removed VC: K.K. Geethakumary; Replacement: Dr. Ciza Thomas (additional charge)
  • Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (appointed 2024)
  • Education is on the Concurrent List (Entry 25, List III) since the 42nd Amendment (1976)
  • UGC Regulations 2018: Mandate search-cum-selection committee for VC appointments (Chancellor nominee + University nominee + UGC nominee)
  • Kerala VC crisis (2022): Supreme Court directed resignation of VCs of 9 Kerala universities for non-compliance with UGC norms
  • NEP 2020: Proposes Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) to replace UGC