Rajan Gurukkal, Rajan Varughese step down as KSHEC vice-chairperson, member secretary

Published 7 June 2026 · india

A few weeks after the United Democratic Front (UDF) government assumed office, Kerala State Higher Education Council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal P.M. and member secretary Rajan

A few weeks after the United Democratic Front (UDF) government assumed office, Kerala State Higher Education Council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal P.M. and member secretary Rajan Varughese have resigned from their respective positions. The duo, who led the council since 2017, were instrumental in shaping several key higher education reforms including the introduction of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP), the establishment of the State Assessment and Accreditation Centre (SAAC) and the Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework (KIRF). In a prologue to a report that outlines the KSHEC’s initiatives, Prof. Gurukkal highlighted the council’s focus on strengthening access, equity and excellence through curriculum reforms, quality assurance mechanisms, outcome-based education, digital enablement, research promotion and international engagement.

One of the most notable achievements during the period was the rollout of the FYUGP in higher education institutions in Kerala from the 2024-25 academic year. The reform introduced multidisciplinary learning pathways, multiple entry and exit options and the Academic Bank of Credits. KSHEC also facilitated a Statewide internship programme for students through a dedicated digital platform. The council also accelerated the digital transformation of institutions through initiatives such as DIGICOL and the Kerala Resource for Education Enhancement and Planning (K-REAP), which seeks to modernise teaching, learning and administrative systems through learning management platforms and enterprise resource planning solution.

SAAC, modelled on the lines of the Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), had been introduced as a Kerala-specific framework for institutional assessment built around scientific temper, secular outlook and social inclusivity. KIRF was also launched as India’s first state-level ranking system for higher education institutions. KSHEC is

also credited with introducing and expanding programmes such as the Kairali Research Awards and the Chief Minister’s Nava Kerala Postdoctoral Fellowships. As part of internationalisation efforts aimed at positioning the State as a global higher education destination, the ‘Study in Kerala’ initiative and Scholar Connect platform were launched.