India, March 10 -- The criticism of the University Grants Commission (UGC)'s recent reforms based on the National Education Policy 2020 in these columns (UGC's flawed proposals for teacher hiring, promotions, Sukhadeo Thorat, February 18) fails to recognise higher education governance's dynamic and evolving nature. The argument that online consultations on regulatory matters compromise thorough reflection is based on an outdated understanding of discourse and participation. Digital platforms have become vital in democratising engagement with stakeholders to provide input, making the process more inclusive rather than less rigorous.

Has the academic performance indicator (API) been removed from the 2025 draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications f...