Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar has written to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot asking him to set up an expert committee to formulate required rules and regulatory guidelines applicable to all state, private and special universities to ensure uniform standards are followed in awarding honorary doctorates.
In his letter, the minister said the universities are empowered to confer honorary degrees on eminent persons in recognition of their outstanding contributions in various fields under the provisions of the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000.
“However, there have been recent concerns in the public domain and on the floor of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council regarding cases of several universities awarding honorary doctorates to the same individual and the absence of uniform criteria or limits for such awards,” he added.
According to him, to preserve the dignity, credibility and sanctity of honorary degrees, it is necessary to develop uniform regulatory guidelines applicable to all public universities in the state.
“It is reported that at a conference of vice-chancellors held on February 21, it was decided to set up an expert committee to lay down rules for the uniform conduct of convocations in universities and to formulate guidelines for a uniform academic calendar and university events. However, the minister said that the issue regarding the awarding of honorary doctorates cannot be discussed at the said meeting.
“In this regard, it is proposed to constitute an expert committee to examine the existing practice regarding the award of honorary doctorates and recommend suitable guidelines to ensure transparency and uniform standards across universities in the state,” the minister said in his letter.
Published – 18 March 2026 21:29 IST
