he proposal to amend the existing law, particularly the clause requiring a minimum contiguous land area of 100 acres, sparked debates over its practicality and fairness.
Published Oct 26, 2025 | 12:35 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 26, 2025 | 12:35 PM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin speaking in the Assembly. (Screengrab)
Synopsis: The Tamil Nadu government withdrew the Tamil Nadu Private Universities Bill following widespread opposition from political leaders, educationists, and the public. The amendment Bill was initially introduced to simplify procedures for private colleges aspiring to attain university status and for those planning to set up new private universities.
The Tamil Nadu government withdrew the Tamil Nadu Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following widespread opposition from political leaders, educationists, and the public.
The Bill, which was recently passed by the state Assembly, will undergo a detailed review before any further action is taken.
In a statement, Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian said the decision was made after the government received extensive feedback through social media, public forums, and discussions in the Assembly.
He noted that while Tamil Nadu has the highest gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education in the country, there remains a pressing need to expand the number of higher education institutions in the state.
The amendment Bill was initially introduced to simplify procedures for private colleges aspiring to attain university status and for those planning to set up new private universities.
However, the proposal to amend the existing law, particularly the clause requiring a minimum contiguous land area of 100 acres, sparked debates over its practicality and fairness.
The amendment proposed to reduce the minimum land requirement to 25 acres within municipal corporation limits and 35 acres within municipal or town panchayat limits. The government had said the move was intended to promote the growth of higher education while keeping in mind “the welfare of students”.
According to the minister, acquiring 100 acres of contiguous land has become increasingly difficult in urban and semi-urban areas due to rapid urbanisation and rising land values.
He explained that easing this requirement, similar to norms in neighbouring states, could enable more private institutions to emerge as universities and help meet the growing demand for higher education.
Following consultations and concerns raised by various stakeholders, Chief Minister MK Stalin instructed the Higher Education Department to seek expert opinions from academics and policy specialists.
The Bill has been formally withdrawn for a comprehensive review to ensure that the final version balances educational growth, accessibility, and regulatory safeguards.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Veni EN.)
