Kerala has formally rejected the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) draft Learning Outcomes-Based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) for undergraduate programs, citing serious concerns over academic quality, ideological bias, and encroachments on university autonomy.

State Higher Education and Social Justice Minister R Bindu announced the decision after an expert committee reviewed the proposed curriculum. In a formal communication to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and UGC Acting Chairperson Vineet Joshi, Kerala conveyed its strong disapproval and called for a comprehensive overhaul.

According to the state government, the draft undermines university independence by prescribing detailed syllabi, course structures, and reading lists—areas that fall outside the UGC’s constitutional mandate.

The rejection follows mounting resistance from academics, student organisations, and researchers nationwide. Over 900 scholars, including Padma awardees and Bhatnagar Prize recipients, have signed petitions highlighting “serious flaws” across disciplines, from mathematics and sciences to economics and engineering.

Gaps and missteps in Mathematics curriculum

Experts flagged critical omissions in the mathematics draft, including key areas like real analysis, algebra, and applied mathematics, while retaining outdated topics such as analytical geometry and mechanics. Courses like Mathematics in Music were criticised for overpromising advanced concepts such as Fourier analysis and Markov chains, despite relying on only Class 10-level foundations. Similarly, the Mathematics for Machine Learning module focuses mostly on basic topics like sets and vector spaces, with little engagement in actual machine learning.

Ideological bias under scrutiny

The expert committee also highlighted ideological influences in the draft. References to VD Savarkar in political science courses and the framing of corporate governance through “Ram Rajya” were cited as attempts to insert partisan narratives into academic study.

Citing these issues, Kerala has urged the UGC to withdraw the draft and initiate a thorough revision, prioritising academic rigour, neutrality, and respect for the autonomy of universities.