Entry of private varsities: Keralam govt mulls easing endowment fund, land norms

The Keralam government is contemplating two significant amendments to the draft new Bill that aims to permit private universities in the state. These proposed changes could potentially reduce the minimum endowment fund requirement from ₹25 crore to a lower amount and relax the land regulations, which are currently stringent due to land scarcity, particularly in urban regions.

This comes as the Kerala State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2025, which was approved by the Kerala Assembly on March 25, 2025, awaits the President's assent. The Bill initially mandated a minimum endowment fund of ₹25 crore, deposited in the government's treasury, and also stipulated a minimum land requirement for multi-campus universities, with a headquarters or registered office area of at least 10 acres.

The amendments being considered are in line with suggestions made by the United Democratic Front MLAs who argued that the government should give priority to long-established and reputable corporate educational agencies with extensive experience in the sector. These agencies have often faced difficulties due to the stringent fund and land requirements.

The government's spokesperson, Minister for Higher Education Roji M. John, confirmed that the drafting process is ongoing and that the new Bill is expected to be presented during the upcoming Assembly session as part of the broader initiative to establish Kerala as a global higher education hub. This would involve collaborating with leading foreign universities and prestigious Indian institutions under a unified ecosystem.