The Union government has officially stated that there is no plan to establish a dedicated Indian Education Service (IES) for filling senior leadership roles in the country's higher education institutions. This clarification puts an end to speculation about a centralised service for appointing chancellors, vice-chancellors, pro-chancellors, and registrars.
Government's Stance on University Autonomy
Responding to a written query in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar declared that "no such proposal is under consideration." He emphasised that higher education institutions (HEIs) are statutory autonomous bodies created under their own Acts of Parliament. Majumdar stressed that these institutions are already governed by established legal frameworks, implying that a new centralised service is not necessary.
Technology-Driven Steps for Transparent Hiring
While dismissing the IES proposal, the minister outlined several technology-led initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency in academic recruitment. A key platform is the CU-Chayan portal, designed to connect employers with potential job candidates, thereby streamlining and making the hiring process more efficient.
Furthermore, the government has launched a separate online portal specifically for recruiting vice-chancellors to central universities. This move is intended to improve both transparency and efficiency in filling these crucial top-level academic positions.
Other Key Developments from Parliament
The session also witnessed other significant announcements and debates. The Heavy Industries Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that vehicle manufacturers have recalled approximately 15.6 lakh vehicles due to safety defects since 2022. This figure includes nearly 11.9 lakh two-wheelers and about 3.7 lakh cars, based on data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) under a voluntary recall provision.
In a separate reply, the ministry stated that Rs 1,635 crore in subsidy has been disbursed under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, with an additional Rs 500 crore allocated for e-ambulances.
New QR Code System for Drug Safety
In a major push for public health safety, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has mandated all retail and wholesale pharmacies to display the official Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) QR code. The directive, issued after a June 18 meeting, requires the QR code and toll-free number (1800-180-3024) to be prominently placed.
By scanning the code, customers and healthcare workers can directly report adverse drug reactions—such as rashes, dizziness, swelling, or nausea—into the Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring System (ADRMS). Officials believe this initiative could significantly improve the tracking of harmful side effects, which often go unreported in India.
The Rajya Sabha also saw heated exchanges over the renaming of Raj Bhavans to Lok Bhavans, with TMC MP Dola Sen criticising the move. The Chairman eventually expunged certain remarks from the record following objections from House leader JP Nadda, a decision contested by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.
