No Vice-Chancellors in 14 Tamil Nadu universities: Madras HC seeks report from State

The Madras High Court has refused to entertain a plea seeking removal of the Registrar In-charge of Madurai Kamaraj University S Muthaiah, after being told a regular Registrar is already being appointed. [A Velanganni Joseph v. The Principal Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department]

Justice B Pugalendhi also directed the State government to explain why nearly 14 Tamil Nadu universities continue without Vice-Chancellors.

The Court was hearing a plea seeking a writ of quo warranto directing Muthaiah to show cause under what authority he continued to hold the post of Registrar In-charge at Madurai Kamaraj University, on the ground that he lacked the required qualifications.

Senior counsel appearing for the University told the Court that Muthaiah was functioning only as a temporary Registrar In-charge, that he possessed all the requisite qualifications and that he had been appointed by a competent authority.

The Court was also told that a notification for the appointment of a regular Registrar had already been issued on June 2, 2026 and that the selection process was currently underway.

During the hearing, counsel on both sides informed the Court that almost 14 universities across Tamil Nadu currently have no Vice-Chancellor and that most of these institutions are being run by Registrars In-charge, with key decisions being taken by Convenor Committees instead.

Though not inclined to entertain the writ petition itself, the Court took note of this submission and called for a report from the State government. It said that it expects a report on this from the Principal Secretary to the Higher Education Department.

The Court also directed the Additional Advocate General to obtain instructions from the government on the reasons for the vacancies and the steps being taken to fill the Vice-Chancellor posts.

The matter has been posted for further hearing after three weeks.

Advocate V R Kamalanathan, instructed by P Baburaj apperared for petitioner.

Additional Advocate General J Barathan, assisted by Special Government Pleader C Jeganathan, appeared for the State.

Senior Advocate Isaac Mohan Lal, instructed by Advocate R Ragatheeshkumar, appeared for the University.

[Read Judgment]