MUMBAI: The head of the premier Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and some other deemed-to-be universities in the country will henceforth be appointed by the central government, and not by their governing boards.A recent change in UGC regulations brings deemed-to-be universities receiving over 50% funds from the Centre under the government’s purview for appointments.Currently, the sponsoring body is the deciding authority; in the case of TISS, it is Tata Trusts and its governing board is chaired by a Tata Trusts representative.

The TISS director was appointed by a selection committee, which had a UGC nominee, set up by the governing board.

The board will now be replaced by an executive council headed by the government-appointed vice-chancellor as chairperson.The UGC guidelines will affect five to six institutions which are managed by sponsoring bodies but receive over 50% funding from government.

The other institutes are: Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra; Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad; Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore; and Gurukula Kangri, Haridwar.

The change in management has raised concerns over the autonomy of the institutions.UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said the new regulations are in line with those for central universities.

“Wherever the government is supporting institutions with over 50% funding, it will have a say in the appointment process.

The changes have been made to bring in uniformity in the university system,” he said.“Autonomy is promoted in central universities, which are funded by government.

Now these deemed-to-be universities will be compatible with central universities and will enjoy the same kind of autonomy.

The institutions will be given further freedom as per the National Education Policy 2020.

It will be an elevation for them,” he said, adding that UGC will be just a facilitator.Kumar said the regulations also bring about a change in the governing structure of these deemed-to-be universities in line with the central universities.

In place of the governing board, these universities will have an executive council and academic council, he said.A Tata Trusts source said the Trusts will abide by the proposed changes for TISS.

TISS was founded by the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) in 1936 but over the years, the government has become the primary backer of the institute.

At present, SDTT has three nominees, Vijay Singh, Rukshana Savaksha and Amrita Patwardhan, on the TISS governing board, with Singh as its chairman.

The state and central governments also have their nominees.

The director (equivalent to a vice chancellor) is appointed by the search-cum-selection committee set up under the directions of the UGC.Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “Although over the years, Government of India has become the mainstay of funding for TISS, successive governments ensured its autonomy...

Now the government will appoint both the chairman and the director.

We know what that means especially in the field of social sciences.”