Anna University Convocation 2026: A Milestone Marred by Political Tensions

On February 4, 2026, Anna University in Chennai held its 46th annual convocation at the Vivekananda Auditorium, a ceremony marking a significant milestone for over 1.5 lakh engineering graduates and research scholars from its affiliated institutions. The event, scheduled at 11:00 a.m., saw Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, who serves as the Chancellor of the university, participate and confer medals and degrees to top rank holders. However, the occasion was overshadowed by the absence of Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan, who boycotted the event amid escalating tensions between the state government and the Governor's office.

This boycott is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern reflecting deeper governance challenges in Tamil Nadu's higher education sector. As a premier technical university, Anna University's convocation symbolizes academic excellence, yet the political rift highlights how administrative disputes can disrupt ceremonial and operational harmony in public universities.

Profile of Anna University: Tamil Nadu's Engineering Powerhouse

Established on September 4, 1978, as a unitary technical university named after former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, Anna University integrates four historic institutions: College of Engineering Guindy (CEG, founded 1794), Alagappa College of Technology (ACT, 1944), Madras Institute of Technology (MIT, 1949), and School of Architecture and Planning (SAP, 1957). Spread across four campuses in Chennai, it affiliates 494 engineering colleges across Tamil Nadu, playing a pivotal role in the state's technical education ecosystem.

With approximately 13,232 students (72% undergraduate, 28% postgraduate) and 893 faculty members, Anna University boasts strong global standings: 465th in QS World University Rankings 2026, 10th among Indian universities, and top rankings in NIRF for engineering (20th overall). Its research output includes over 35,000 publications with 596,000 citations, underscoring its contributions to innovation in engineering, technology, and architecture.

Tamil Nadu leads India in higher education Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at 47-50% for the 18-23 age group, far above the national 29%, with Anna University central to this success by producing graduates for industries like IT, manufacturing, and aerospace.

The February 4 Convocation: Key Highlights and Absences

The 46th convocation awarded degrees to more than 150,000 students, including those who defended PhDs by June 30, 2025. Thirty meritorious students, including nine from ACT and one from SAP, received medals. Notably, the event proceeded without a Vice-Chancellor (VC), a position vacant due to ongoing disputes.

Governor R.N. Ravi's presence fulfilled his constitutional role as Chancellor, a position governors hold ex-officio for state public universities under Article 153 of the Indian Constitution. Sources confirmed Minister Chezhiaan's absence was 'inevitable' given prior patterns. No chief guest was announced separately, emphasizing the Governor's central role.

Minister Govi Chezhiaan's Stance: Reasons for the Boycott

Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan, a DMK leader, has consistently boycotted university convocations presided over by Governor Ravi. For the recent University of Madras 167th convocation on January 22, 2026—where 1.93 lakh degrees were awarded—he stated: 'Governor R.N. Ravi continues to do things that tarnish the reputation of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, and continues to act against Tamil, the Tamil people, and Tamil Nadu. The Governor, who is discrediting the knowledge and talent of Tamil Nadu students and spreading lies, does not have the right to award degrees.'

Similar sentiments apply to Anna University, rooted in accusations of the Governor undermining elected governance, Tamil language dignity, and student achievements. Chezhiaan argues Ravi lacks qualification for degree conferral, viewing it as overreach.The Hindu

Historical Context: A Series of Boycotts and Clashes

This is the latest in a string of boycotts: Madras University (Jan 2026), Tamil Nadu Open University, MGR Medical University (2024), and others. Tensions trace to 2023, with Governor Ravi delaying assent to bills under Article 200, walking out of Assembly sessions, and clashing over Vice-Chancellor appointments.

• 2024: Minister skips multiple convocations post-Tamil Thai Vaazhthu row.
• Jan 2026: Madras University boycott over Assembly dignity.
• Feb 2026: Anna University amid VC search committee disputes.

Recent incidents include a PhD scholar holding CM Stalin's photo while receiving degree from Ravi at Annamalai University (Feb 2, 2026), symbolizing student divides.

Photo by Kelvin Zyteng on Unsplash

Governor RN Ravi's Role and Perspective

As Chancellor, Governor Ravi oversees 20+ state universities. His office criticizes the DMK government for constituting VC search committees for Bharathiar, Bharathidasan, and Periyar Universities without UGC nominees, defying Madras High Court and Supreme Court orders. Ravi urges compliance with UGC norms for transparent appointments, emphasizing student welfare and NIRF rankings (many TN universities lag).

Ravi's actions align with center's push for quality governance, contrasting state's push for elected control.

Legal Battles Over Vice-Chancellor Appointments

Core dispute: Tamil Nadu's 2023-2025 bills to shift VC appointment powers from Governor to Chief Minister for 13 universities. Supreme Court (Apr 2025) temporarily empowered state, but Madras HC stayed amendments (May 2025), backing Governor. Ongoing SC hearings challenge this.

Process: UGC (University Grants Commission) mandates search committees with nominee; state bypassed, leading to vacancies like Anna University's. President returned Madras University Bill (Dec 2025).

Impacts on Students, Faculty, and University Operations

Prolonged vacancies disrupt: seat increases, faculty hires, infrastructure. Anna University lacks VC, delaying decisions amid 1.5L affiliates. Academicians warn of ranking drops, research stalls.

• Students: Delayed admissions, PhD registrations (e.g., Anna excluded post-June 2025 defenders).
• Faculty: Promotions stalled, morale low; explore faculty positions elsewhere.
• Institutions: Admin paralysis, funding delays.

National GER push (50% by 2035) suffers; TN's lead at risk.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Broader National Context

DMK views Governor as center's tool politicizing education; BJP allies decry state defiance. Similar in Kerala, Bengal: 10+ opposition states face delays. Academics urge dialogue for autonomy.

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Path Forward: Solutions for Stable Governance

Solutions: SC-mandated timelines, UGC-state collaboration, neutral committees. States like Andhra reformed peacefully. TN could prioritize appointments via consensus.

• Include UGC reps transparently.
• Fast-track SC hearings.
• Focus on GER, NIRF via joint efforts.

Explore Tamil Nadu higher ed jobs amid transitions.Anna University official site

Photo by Gowtham AGM on Unsplash

Conclusion: Prioritizing Education Over Politics

The Anna University boycott underscores need for resolution to safeguard futures. Institutions like Anna thrive on stability. Job seekers, visit higher-ed-jobs, university-jobs, higher-ed-career-advice, rate-my-professor, post-a-job.