1. “The appointment of Vice-Chancellors in State universities has increasingly emerged as a site of Centre–State friction. Analyse the constitutional, regulatory and federal issues involved in this contest over institutional control and higher education governance.”
| Syllabus: General Studies – II : Separation of Powers & Role of Constitutional Bodies – Role of Governor as Chancellor of State universities |
IN NEWS: SC to hear T.N.’s plea on State’s power to appoint V-Cs
The appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs) in State universities has increasingly become a contested arena between the Union and State governments, reflecting deeper tensions in India’s federal and regulatory architecture in higher education governance.
Constitutional Issues
- Overlap in Legislative Competence:
- Entry 66, Union List – Centre’s power to set standards in higher education.
- Entry 25, Concurrent List – Education as a shared domain. Creates inherent tension when States legislate on university governance.
- Governor’s Role as Chancellor:
- Governors often have statutory power to appoint VCs.
- Disputes arise over whether this is a discretionary function under Article 163 or bound by State advice.
- Divergent interpretations lead to delays, conflicts and litigation.
- Assent to Bills (Articles 200 & 201):
- Tensions emerge when Governors withhold or delay assent to State Bills altering VC appointment structures.
- Article 254 – Repugnancy:
- State amendments altering VC appointment procedures may conflict with central laws/UGC norms, inviting judicial scrutiny.
Regulatory Issues
- Binding Nature of UGC Regulations (2010/2018):
- Mandate that VCs be appointed by the Chancellor from a panel of names suggested by a Search-cum-Selection Committee.
- Prescribe committee composition, eligibility norms and procedures.
- States’ Attempts at Autonomy:
- Altering selection committee structure.
- Changing appointing authority (e.g., empowering State Government instead of Chancellor).
- Revising qualification norms or procedures.
- Resulting Conflicts:
- Courts often hold that deviations undermine “national standards,” creating grounds for invalidation.
Federal Issues
- Centre–State Turf Contestation:
- States assert their right to manage universities as institutions serving regional needs.
- Centre emphasises uniformity and quality through national standards.
- Governor as a Mediating (or Conflicting) Entity:
- As an appointee of the Centre, the Governor’s role is often viewed by States as diluting federal autonomy.
- Frequent disagreements on recommendations, approvals and committee formation.
- Erosion of Cooperative Federalism:
- Increasing judicialisation of appointments.
- Parallel committees issued by State governments and Governors.
- Administrative paralysis in universities due to prolonged disputes.
- Judicial Interventions:
- Courts balance autonomy and national standards, often reinforcing UGC Regulations over State amendments.
Thus, VC appointments reflect a larger debate on how India reconciles national regulatory coherence with genuine federal autonomy in higher education governance.
| PYQ REFERENCE (UPSC 2022) Q. “Discuss the role of the Governor in the State and examine the controversies associated with it.” |
2. “Neuro-technology promises breakthroughs in healthcare but raises unprecedented ethical concerns.” Discuss in light of UNESCO’s new recommendations on neuro-technology.
| Syllabus: General Studies – III : Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life. |
IN NEWS: What are the new UNESCO recommendations for neurotechnology use?
Neuro-technology refers to technologies that interface with the human brain to monitor, influence, or enhance neural activity. It promises transformative healthcare applications, such as treating neurological disorders, mental health conditions, and cognitive impairments. However, it also raises ethical concerns regarding privacy, autonomy, and inequality.
Breakthroughs in Healthcare:
- Medical Treatment: Neuro-technology enables interventions for Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and depression through brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and neuro-stimulation.
- Cognitive Enhancement: Devices can improve memory, attention, or rehabilitation after stroke.
- Personalized Medicine: Neural data allows tailored therapies, improving outcomes.
Ethical Concerns:
- Privacy and Data Security: Brain data is deeply personal; misuse could lead to manipulation or discrimination.
- Autonomy and Consent: Patients may be influenced or coerced into treatments without fully understanding risks.
- Equity: Access may be limited to the wealthy, worsening social inequalities.
- Identity and Agency: Modifying brain function could challenge the sense of self and moral responsibility.
UNESCO’s Recommendations (2023‑25):
- Human Rights Framework: Protects mental privacy, cognitive liberty, and personal identity.
- Transparency & Accountability: Developers and governments must ensure informed consent and data security.
- Inclusive Access: Promote affordability and prevent social or economic discrimination.
- Ethical Oversight: Multidisciplinary review for research, clinical, and commercial applications.
- Neuro-rights: Recognizes rights to mental integrity, freedom of thought, and protection from misuse.
Neuro-technology can revolutionize healthcare and human potential, but without ethical safeguards, it poses unprecedented risks. UNESCO’s guidelines provide a human-centered framework, balancing innovation with protection of rights, privacy, and equity. Responsible development and regulation are essential for its safe and equitable use.
| PYQ REFERENCE (UPSC 2023) Q. Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare? |