Kerala’s Selective NOC Waiver for New‑Age Courses Risks Public Higher Education

Kerala has recently announced a selective waiver of the No‑Objection Certificate (NOC) requirement for a range of new‑age courses. The policy is aimed at encouraging innovative programs that are not covered under traditional university curricula. However, education experts warn that such a move could erode the foundation of public higher education by diverting resources and attention away from established institutions. Critics argue that the waiver may lead to a decline in academic standards and reduce the autonomy of public universities. The state government maintains that the initiative will foster entrepreneurship and meet the demands of a rapidly changing job market.