Parliament Question: Appointment of Vice Chancellors in universities of Jammu and Kashmir

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 273 ANSWERED ON- 18.03.2026 APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHANCELLORS IN UNIVERSITIES OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR 273 Shri Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) the university-wise details of appointment of the Vice-Chancellors in all Central, State and Semi Government Universities in Jammu and Kashmir during last three years;

(b) the statutory provisions and eligibility criteria followed, composition of search-cum selection committees, number of applications received, candidates shortlisted and interviewed and final basis of selection; and

(c) how many shortlisted candidates were domiciles of Jammu and Kashmir and how many were from outside the UT, whether any weightage was given to regional experience and whether the entire process complied with UGC norms? ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. ****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 273 FOR 18.03.2026 ASKED BY SHRI SAJJAD AHMAD KICHLOO, HON’BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING APPOINTMENT OF VICE- CHANCELLORS IN UNIVERSITIES OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR

(a) to (c): Subject of education falls within concurrent list, accordingly both Central and State government undertake the recruitment for statutory positions including that of the Vice Chancellor in line with the Act, Statutes and Ordinances governing Central and State University(s) respectively, which are Statutory autonomous organisations established and governed by the respective Central/State Act(s) and Statutes and Ordinances made thereunder.

Clause 7.3 of the University Grants Commission Regulations (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education, 2018) stipulates the eligibility criteria, experience, composition of search-cum-selection committee for appointment of Vice- Chancellor.

There are two Central Universities in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir i.e Central University of Jammu and Central University of Kashmir. Both these Universities are governed by the Central Universities Act, 2009 and the Statutes and Ordinances made thereunder including the process of appointment for statutory positions including that of the Vice Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor of Central University of Jammu has been appointed in the year 2021 and the Vice Chancellor of Central University of Kashmir has been appointed in the year 2023. As per Statute 2 of the Central Universities Act, 2009, the appointment of the Vice Chancellor is done by the Visitor (President of India) from a panel recommended by a Committee consisting of five persons, out of whom three are nominated by the Executive Council of the University and two by the Visitor. One of the nominees of the Visitor is the convenor of the Committee.

Provided that none of the members of the Committee shall be an employee of the University or a college or an institution maintained by the University or a member of any authority of the University.

The eligibility criteria for appointment to the post of Vice Chancellor requires a distinguished academician, with a minimum of 10 years’ experience as Professor in a University or 10 years’ experience in a reputed research and/or academic administrative organisation with proof of having demonstrated academic leadership and a person possessing the highest level of competence, integrity, morals and institutional commitment. Central Universities are the envisioned as pace setter institutions with all India Character; for the appointment of the Statutory positions within Central Universities including that of the post Vice Chancellor, open advertisements are published and eligible candidates across the country can apply.

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