The TATA Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and four other deemed-to-be universities in the country will henceforth have their heads chosen by the central government rather than by their respective governing bodies like earlier. The government’s decision, however, is perceived by TISS students and alumni as an effort to stifle the voices of these institutions and force them to conform. According to the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Institutions Deemed to be Universities Regulations, notified last month by the regulatory body, the government will appoint heads of the deemed universities that receive from government funds more than their own annual earnings.

As per the regulations, the vice-chancellors, directors and heads of TISS in Mumbai, the Dayalbagh Educational Institute in Agra, the Gujarat Vidyapeeth in Ahmedabad, the Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science & Higher Education for Women in Coimbatore, and the Gurukula Kangri in Haridwar will now be appointed by the union education ministry.