Why did DU flag assistant professor recruitment at St Stephen's College?

A Delhi University committee has flagged violations of recruitment norms at St Stephen's College, citing deviations in shortlisting criteria, lack of transparency and concerns over appointments, and recommended compliance with university rules.Students at St Stephen's College campus in Delhi University - Photo by Vikram SharmaNew Delhi,Oct 20, 2026 10:13 ISTA Delhi University committee has flagged violations of university-approved shortlisting criteria in the recruitment of assistant professors at St Stephen’s College and recommended that the institution follow the university’s recruitment rules and regulations.The committee, constituted following deliberations at the university’s Executive Council meeting on April 29, 2026, concluded that the college had made appointments in violation of shortlisting criteria approved by the university’s statutory bodies, according to its report.The college, however, maintained that the university’s shortlisting criteria were advisory in nature and that, as a minority institution, it could determine the mode and manner of selecting teachers.COMMITTEE FLAGS DEVIATIONS IN SHORTLISTING CRITERIAThe committee said the deviations had allegedly allowed candidates who would otherwise have been ineligible to be shortlisted for interviews. It recommended that St Stephen’s College, as a constituent college of Delhi University, follow the university’s recruitment rules to ensure uniformity and consistency in the appointment of teachers.The university had, through a letter dated April 29, advised the college to refrain from issuing appointment letters while the matter was being examined. Subsequently, a five-member committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Prof Inder Mohan Kapahy. The committee held meetings on May 7 and May 29 and sought details from the college on its shortlisting criteria, the list of shortlisted candidates, their Academic Performance Indicator (API) scores and the reasons for not following the university-approved criteria.According to the report, the college did not provide the requested information despite reminders issued by the university.COLLEGE CITES MINORITY STATUS, UGC REGULATIONSIn its response, St Stephen’s College maintained that, as a minority institution, it could determine the mode and manner of selecting teachers.It also cited the University Grants Commission’s 2018 regulations, which state that the number of candidates called for interviews is to be decided by the college.The committee, however, reiterated that the shortlisting criteria approved by the university’s statutory bodies were binding on constituent colleges.The report also raised concerns over the non-disclosure of shortlisting criteria and the evaluation methodology for essay writing, presentations and interviews until after the screening process had been completed.REPORT FLAGS SHORTLISTING NUMBERS, CUT-OFF SCORESThe committee noted that the college had shortlisted 234 candidates for three unreserved assistant professor vacancies and 11 candidates for one vacancy reserved for persons with benchmark disabilities in the Philosophy department.According to the report, the college later disclosed that 70 candidates would be shortlisted for each unreserved vacancy. It also set a departmental cut-off score of 50 for Philosophy, against the university-prescribed minimum academic score of 55.The committee further flagged concerns over the use of research publications for screening, stating that the college’s criteria differed from the university’s standard operating procedure on publications considered for eligibility and screening.REPORT RAISES CONCERNS OVER APPOINTMENTS, COURT ORDERThe report said the college declared the recruitment results on the night of May 9 and allowed selected candidates to join on May 11, even as the committee’s examination was pending.On May 13, the Delhi High Court directed that the recommendations of the selection committee under the relevant recruitment advertisement should not be implemented without the court’s leave, the report said.It alleged that the college continued the joining process and assigned invigilation duties to selected candidates despite the court’s order.COMMITTEE RECOMENDS COMPLIANCE WITH DU RULESThe committee reiterated that the college was required to follow the university’s recruitment rules and regulations.“For maintaining uniformity and consistency in the appointment of teachers, the Delhi University Act, 1922 vests the power of appointment and recognition of teachers in the University.“Accordingly, St. Stephen’s College, as a constituent college of the University of Delhi, is required to follow the University’s recruitment rules and regulations,” the committee said in its recommendations.(With PTI inputs)- Ends