Human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar has approved a proposal by a privately managed but government-funded deemed university to appoint his junior as its chancellor, triggering a debate over ministers taking up positions in educational institutions.

Javadekar on Monday allowed Haridwar-based Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya to appoint minister of state for HRD Satyapal Singh as its chancellor for five years.

For the first time, a Union education minister will occupy a key position in a privately managed institution. The deemed university gets its full funding from the University Grants Commission.

The Prime Minister is the chancellor of Visva Bharati and Javadekar is the chancellor of Delhi-based Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, which are both government institutions.

The former director of Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore, P. Balaram, described the go-ahead as “improper”.

“Generally it is improper for a minister to hold any position in any public or private university. I don’t think ministers should be associated with governance structure of an educational institution,” he said.

The institution, managed by the Arya Samaj, communicated its decision to the junior HRD minister in September, who sought permission from Javadekar to accept the post.

R. Subrahmanyam, secretary, department of higher education, said in response to an email from The Telegraph: “There is no conflict of interest. This institution is a deemed university fully funded by the government of India. Besides, the role of chancellor is largely ceremonial and is purely honorary.”