Why JNU students and teachers want the Vice Chancellor removed over recruitment row

The JNU recruitment controversy is back in focus after students and teachers demanded the Vice Chancellor's removal over alleged faculty recruitment irregularities. Here's what triggered the latest protests, what the allegations are, and why an investigative report and political leaders have intensified the debate.The JNU recruitment controversy is back in focus after students and teachers demanded the Vice Chancellor's removal over alleged faculty recruitment irregularities. (AI-generated image)One of India's top universities has found itself at the centre of a growing controversy over faculty recruitment.The Jawaharlal Nehru Students' Union (JNUSU) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Teachers' Association (JNUTA) have demanded the removal of Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and called for an independent, time-bound inquiry into alleged irregularities in faculty recruitment and promotions.The demands come after fresh allegations that recruitment rules laid down by the University Grants Commission (UGC) may have been bypassed in several appointments.The issue has also gained political attention after Congress leader Pawan Khera highlighted the allegations on social media, sharing an investigation published by The Reporters' Collective. WHY ARE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS PROTESTING?According to PTI, both the students' union and the teachers' association allege that candidates who were initially rejected by expert screening committees for not meeting UGC eligibility requirements were later brought back into the selection process.JNUTA claims this happened through the university's Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), which allegedly restored candidates to final interview lists despite their earlier rejection. The association argues that the IQAC does not have the statutory authority under UGC regulations or university rules to independently alter decisions taken by screening committees. The teachers' body has also alleged that elected representatives on the Executive Council repeatedly raised objections, but their concerns were ignored.Among their demands are an independent or court-monitored inquiry, preservation of recruitment records since February 2022, disclosure of recruitment documents, and an audit of faculty appointments made during the current Vice Chancellor's tenure.WHAT DID THE REPORTERS' COLLECTIVE INVESTIGATION ALLEGE?The controversy gained momentum after The Reporters' Collective published a detailed investigation into JNU's recruitment process.The investigation alleged that in at least seven faculty appointments, candidates who had originally been declared ineligible by subject experts were later included in final interview lists and eventually appointed. It also alleged that shortlists prepared by expert committees were expanded during later stages of recruitment.The report further claimed that over 220 faculty appointments have been made during the current Vice Chancellor's tenure, although the investigation said it could independently verify only a small number because JNU no longer publishes complete shortlisted candidate details publicly.It also raised questions about delays in faculty promotions, claiming that many eligible teachers continue to wait for advancement while some appointments allegedly bypassed the usual process.The university administration has not accepted these allegations. The investigation notes that questions were sent to those named in the report and that responses received were incorporated where available.PAWAN KHERA'S COMMENT ON THE ISSUELast week, Congress leader Pawan Khera shared the investigation on social media and accused the Centre of undermining JNU. In his post, he alleged that at least seven faculty appointments violated mandatory UGC regulations and suggested that the actual number could be higher given the scale of recruitment during the current administration.His remarks have amplified public attention on the issue, although the allegations remain disputed and have not been established through any judicial finding.WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?As of now, the JNU Students' Union and the Teachers' Association are pressing for an independent enquiry and the Vice Chancellor's removal. The controversy is likely to remain under scrutiny as demands for an investigation grow.For now, the recruitment process, the role of the IQAC, and whether UGC norms were followed are at the heart of the debate. Any official enquiry, if ordered, will determine whether the allegations of procedural irregularities are substantiated.- EndsPublished On: Aug 14, 2026 15:57 IST