**Executive Summary**
This document contains the answer to Unstarred Question No-9 in the Lok Sabha, answered on December 1, 2025, regarding the absentee Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University. The question raised by Shri Pradyut Bordoloi, asked if the government had taken steps to address the absence, received a report on the matter, and if a central team had been deputed to assess the situation. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, responded to the questions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Autonomous Institutions:**
* Central Universities are autonomous institutions established under Acts of Parliament.
* They are governed by their respective Acts, Statutes, and Ordinances.
* **Vice-Chancellor Absence:**
* According to the Tezpur University Act, 1993, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor performs the duties of the Vice-Chancellor when the position is vacant.
* If the Pro-Vice-Chancellor is also unavailable, the senior-most Professor performs the duties until a new Vice-Chancellor is appointed or the existing one returns.
* **Fact-Finding Committee:**
* The Fact-Finding Committee constituted by the Governor of Assam has submitted its report to the Governor (ex officio Chancellor of Tezpur University).
**Impact Analysis**
**Tezpur University Administration**
* **Impact:** The university administration is subject to governance structures that provide temporary replacements for the Vice-Chancellor to maintain functionality.
* **Action Required:** The university administration should follow the established protocol by ensuring the Pro-Vice-Chancellor or the senior-most Professor fulfills the duties of the Vice-Chancellor during their absence.
**Governor of Assam (Ex Officio Chancellor of Tezpur University)**
* **Impact:** The Governor is responsible for receiving and reviewing the report from the Fact-Finding Committee.
* **Action Required:** The Governor must review the report and take appropriate action based on the findings.
Key Entities Referenced
Tezpur University Act, 1993: Act governing the operation and administration of Tezpur University.
Fact-Finding Committee: Committee constituted by Governor of Assam-cum-Chancellor of Tezpur University to examine allegations regarding the functioning of the Vice-Chancellor.
Tezpur University: Central University where the absence of the Vice-Chancellor and alleged irregularities are under scrutiny.
Ministry of Education: The ministry responding to questions about Tezpur University.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-9
ANSWERED ON 01/12/2025
Absentee Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University
9. Shri Pradyut Bordoloi:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to address the absence of Vice-Chancellor since 22nd
September 2025, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has received the report of the Fact-Finding Committee constituted by
Governor of Assam-cum-Chancellor of Tezpur University to examine the serious allegations regarding
the functioning of the Vice-Chancellor, if so, the details and the findings thereof;
(c) whether any Central team has been deputed to assess the prevailing administrative situation in
Tezpur University, if so, the details and the findings of their visit thereof;
(d) whether it is a fact that large-scale irregularities have been reported in the appointment of security
guards, violation of labour laws and procurement of library books and e-resources, including inflated
quotations, irregular tendering and possible vendor collusion, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to resolve the administrative deadlock
caused by the prolonged absence, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (e): Central Universities are autonomous institutions established under Acts of Parliament and
governed in accordance with the provisions of their respective Acts, Statutes, and Ordinances. As per
the Tezpur University Act, 1993, if the office of the Vice-Chancellor becomes vacant, the Pro-Vice-
Chancellor shall perform the duties of the Vice-Chancellor. It further provides that if the Pro-Vice-
Chancellor is not available, the senior-most Professor shall perform the duties of the Vice-Chancellor
until a new Vice-Chancellor assumes office or until the existing Vice-Chancellor attends to the duties
of his office, as the case may be.
The Fact-Finding Committee constituted by the Hon’ble Governor of Assam has submitted its report
to the Hon’ble Governor (ex officio Chancellor of Tezpur University).
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