The Crisis in Indian Higher Education
Dr. Viswanath Pandey
India’s higher education system, once considered a beacon for intellectual growth and innovation, is now mired in controversies and administrative lapses. From faculty shortages to politically motivated appointments, the state of central universities raises serious questions about governance and policy implementation. Amid these challenges, the government’s repeated assurances of reforms ring hollow as the ground realities paint a grim picture.
In recent years, allegations of political interference, bureaucratic inertia, and blatant favoritism have marred the reputation of premier institutions like Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU). With over 5,000 faculty positions lying vacant and administrative councils suspended in key institutions, one must ask: is this merely a systemic failure, or a deliberate attempt to undermine the autonomy and integrity of India’s higher education system?
Persistent Faculty Vacancies:
The scale of vacancies in India’s central universities is alarming. Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar, in a written response during the Rajya Sabha session on November 28, 2024, revealed that as of October 31, a staggering 5,182 teaching posts remained unfilled across central universities. This figure reflects a persistent issue that has worsened over the past decade.
Data from the last five years underscores the depth of the crisis. Despite multiple recruitment drives, the vacancies have shown a troubling consistency:
- 2019: 4,893 vacant positions
- 2020: 5,101 vacant positions
- 2021: 5,042 vacant positions
- 2022: 5,090 vacant positions
- 2023: 5,132 vacant positions
The government’s initiatives, including the CU-Chayan recruitment portal launched in May 2023, were designed to address this issue. However, the pace of recruitment has been insufficient to meet the growing demand for faculty. While over 7,650 positions were filled through special drives in recent years, the backlog remains daunting.
Majumdar attributed these vacancies to routine factors such as retirements, resignations, and increased student enrollment. Yet, experts argue that this explanation fails to address the root cause: the lack of a robust and transparent recruitment mechanism. Dr. Rajiv Gupta, a senior educationist, opined, “The recruitment drives are often marred by delays and inefficiencies, compounded by political interference. The government’s inability to fill these vacancies reflects poorly on its commitment to education reform.”
Politically Motivated Appointments:
The controversy surrounding the appointments of Vice Chancellors (VCs) in central universities like BHU and NEHU highlights the extent of political interference in higher education. At BHU, the suspension of the executive council for three years and allegations against VC Sudhir Kumar Jain have raised serious concerns. Reports suggest that Jain sidelined capable individuals and promoted a culture of favoritism, particularly against those who questioned his administrative decisions.
A similar narrative emerges from NEHU, where NEHUTA (North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association) has accused VC Prof. Shukla of bypassing qualified candidates during his appointment. In a letter to the Ministry of Higher Education, NEHUTA alleged that Shukla’s tenure has been marked by “malafide intentions” and attempts to deflect responsibility for the university’s declining academic standards.
Prof. Shobhana Nerlikar, Head of the Mass Communication Department at BHU, took to social media to highlight how her promotion was stalled due to her reserved category status. “This is not just a personal setback; it reflects the systemic discrimination and lack of accountability at the highest levels of university administration,” she wrote.
Experts argue that such politically motivated appointments undermine the academic ethos of institutions. Dr. Meera Srinivasan, a senior academic and policy analyst, stated, “When VCs are selected based on political affiliations rather than merit, it creates a culture of mediocrity and mistrust. This directly impacts the quality of education and the morale of faculty and students.”
Government’s Role and Accountability
The government’s failure to address these issues raises fundamental questions about its commitment to higher education. While the Ministry of Education claims to regularly monitor institutions and direct them to fill vacancies, the reality suggests otherwise. The persistence of faculty shortages and administrative lapses indicates a deeper governance failure.
Former UGC Chairman Prof. Ved Prakash remarked, “The government’s inability to fill vacancies and ensure transparent appointments reflects a lack of prioritization. Higher education cannot thrive in an environment of neglect and political interference.”
The situation is further exacerbated by the government’s inconsistent policies. While initiatives like the CU-Chayan portal and special recruitment drives are steps in the right direction, their impact is diluted by the lack of a cohesive strategy to address systemic challenges. Critics argue that the government’s focus on headline-grabbing announcements often overshadows the need for substantive reforms.
The vacancies and administrative controversies are not just numbers or isolated incidents; they represent a broader crisis affecting millions of students and faculty members. Institutions like BHU and NEHU, which were once symbols of academic excellence, are now struggling to maintain their credibility.
The question remains: can the government rise above political considerations and deliver on its promise of transforming India’s higher education landscape? Or will it continue to allow systemic inefficiencies and vested interests to dictate the future of our academic institutions? As the nation waits for answers, the cost of inaction continues to mount, both for the present generation of students and for the country’s long-term aspirations.
The issue of unfilled teaching posts is not limited to Jawaharlal Nehru University but is widespread across several central universities in India. According to the Ministry of Education, over 5,000 teaching positions remain vacant as of October 2024, despite ongoing efforts to fill these roles. Central institutions such as Manipur University, the Central University of Haryana, and Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya in Madhya Pradesh have advertised faculty vacancies, yet many posts remain unfilled due to delays in recruitment processes or lack of qualified candidates applying. These vacancies significantly affect the quality of education and student engagement in these universities
The government has introduced initiatives like the CU-Chayan portal to streamline faculty recruitment, yet challenges persist. For instance, while 25,777 posts have been filled under Mission Mode hiring efforts across Central Higher Education Institutions, including universities, IITs, and NITs, the backlog of vacancies remains substantial. Factors like retirements, resignations, and increasing student strength exacerbate the issue. Institutions are often unable to meet their faculty needs, leading to overburdened existing staff and compromised academic quality.
Campus Safety and Administrative Apathy :
The recent rape case on the IIT-BHU campus highlights significant lapses in ensuring student safety and accountability. On November 1, 2023, a female student was gang-raped near her hostel by three men who also recorded the incident. Despite the crime’s severity, the accused, identified as Kunal Pandey, Abhishek Chauhan, and Saksham Patel, roamed free for nearly two months before being arrested in late December 2023. Allegations have surfaced that the accused had connections with political figures, particularly the BJP, raising concerns about possible protection offered to them. This incident sparked widespread protests by students, demanding justice and better campus security. While some measures, such as restricting outsiders and increasing security at campus entry points, have been implemented, the delayed arrests and alleged political links highlight systemic issues..
In a broader context, this incident is part of a troubling pattern in educational institutions where administrative apathy and political interference hinder justice. Critics argue that the administration’s focus on curbing protests rather than addressing the root causes reflects an intent to suppress dissent. Groups like the All India Students’ Association (AISA) have pointed out the failure to establish Gender Sensitisation Committees, which are mandated under the University Grants Commission’s guidelines. The lack of such institutional frameworks fosters an unsafe environment for students, particularly women, and perpetuates the culture of impunity. These incidents underline the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure accountability and safeguard the sanctity of educational spaces..
The ongoing crisis in India’s central universities raises critical questions about governance, accountability, and the prioritization of education. The persisting vacancies, administrative lapses, and incidents like the IIT-BHU rape case reveal a systemic failure in addressing fundamental institutional needs. With over 5,000 teaching positions vacant and incidents of irregularities in university administration surfacing regularly, the education sector appears neglected despite its vital role in shaping the nation’s future.
The lack of accountability in filling key positions, including Vice Chancellors and faculty, has cascading effects on the academic environment. When politically motivated appointments overshadow merit, universities become arenas for conflict rather than centers of learning. The allegations against Vice Chancellors at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) illustrate the damaging impact of mismanagement and politicization, fostering mistrust among faculty and students. This distrust further deepens when incidents of violence and harassment on campuses, such as the IIT-BHU rape case, are met with delayed actions and alleged political shielding of accused individuals.
The government’s efforts, like the CU-Chayan portal and Mission Mode recruitment drives, while commendable, fail to address the structural issues plaguing the education sector. The inability to fill thousands of vacancies, even with streamlined processes, raises questions about the effectiveness of these initiatives. Furthermore, the systemic delay in establishing gender sensitization committees and addressing safety concerns exacerbates the vulnerability of students, particularly women, in these institutions
The broader implications of these failures extend beyond education. When institutions become breeding grounds for inequity, violence, and administrative inefficiency, they undermine societal trust and deter young minds from contributing to national progress. Such an environment not only hampers academic growth but also risks creating a generation disillusioned with governance and accountability.
To remedy this, a multipronged approach is necessary. First, transparency in the selection and appointment processes for administrative and academic positions must be ensured. Second, there must be stringent adherence to safety protocols and the establishment of robust mechanisms to address grievances. Lastly, consistent monitoring and intervention by the Ministry of Education and independent bodies can help restore confidence in these institutions.
India’s central universities have long been pillars of higher learning and innovation. Allowing these institutions to deteriorate not only jeopardizes their legacy but also compromises the nation’s intellectual capital. A renewed focus on education as a fundamental right and a commitment to reforming governance structures are essential to ensuring that universities fulfill their mandate as centers of excellence and equity. Without such measures, the promise of education as a transformative tool remains unfulfilled, leaving future generations at a disadvantage.
(The author is former PRO at BHU, is renowned globally for his researched book on Madan Mohan Malaviya’s legacy.)
