“University without Vice Chancellor: The future of higher education in Haryana is stagnant.”
More than seven universities in Haryana have been without permanent vice-chancellors for a long time, creating a leadership vacuum in the higher education system. This is not only leading to administrative dysfunction but also hampering the effective implementation of the National Education Policy 2020. Issues such as lack of transparency in appointment processes, political interference, and judicial disputes are becoming more and more pressing. Unless qualified and independent vice-chancellors are appointed, higher education reforms will remain limited to paper only.
The state of Haryana, which was once seen as an emerging hub in the field of education, is today facing a serious crisis in higher education infrastructure and leadership. More than seven universities in the state have not been able to appoint a vice chancellor for a long time. This is not only giving rise to administrative instability but is also hindering the effective implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP). At a time when universities have to prepare for high-quality research, innovation, and global competition, the leadership vacuum is pushing Haryana’s education system backward.
Vacant VC post: Administrative void and impact on student interests
Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Indira Gandhi University, Chaudhary Ranbir Singh University, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Gurugram University, and Maharishi Valmiki Sanskrit University—these seven major universities are functioning without permanent vice-chancellors till March 2025. The state government had invited applications for the vice-chancellor posts in March 2025, but the status of the selection process is not clear even after the last date has passed. This vacancy is leading to delays in academic and administrative decisions in these institutions. Important tasks like budget allocation, faculty appointments, review of academic courses, and international collaborations are hanging in the balance without permanent leadership. This is directly affecting the quality of education and the prospects of the students.
Discontent among students and teachers: Demand for transparency
Students at Sirsa-based CDLU and other universities have raised their voices, demanding transparency in the VC appointment process. Students say merit, experience, and ethics should be given priority in the selection process. They also allege that the government is preparing to appoint politically favourable candidates, thereby putting a question mark on the autonomy of universities. Officials and faculty members also say that working under successive acting VCs hampers academic planning and innovation. Universities need long-term strategies, which only stable and capable leadership can ensure.
Judicial challenge and policy confusion
A petition has been filed in the High Court over the reappointment of the Vice Chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The petition alleges that the appointment did not follow the standards of UGC (University Grants Commission). The petitioners argue that this appointment is against the principles of transparency and merit, and it tarnishes the dignity of the university. This case highlights the policy confusion and lack of transparency prevailing in the entire state university system. The lack of coordination between the policies of the state and the central government and the tendency to interfere despite the promise of keeping the universities autonomous is hollowing out the roots of the education system.
National Education Policy 2020: Objectives and Constraints
NEP 2020 aims to make India a global knowledge hub. It emphasizes multidisciplinary education, skill development, research promotion, and digital learning. But to achieve these goals, capable and visionary leadership is necessary in every university. The vacancy of Vice Chancellor posts in Haryana’s universities is hampering these goals of NEP. A clear and stable policy-guiding role is necessary for the expansion of digital and academic infrastructure, the recommendation of research grants, and academic freedom, which is currently incomplete.
Political interference and new policies of UGC
Another controversy regarding vice chancellor appointments in Haryana is that the state government is delaying the appointments by waiting for the new policies of UGC. In 2023, UGC had issued new guidelines for vice chancellor appointments, which have increased the scope of central intervention. This has put the autonomy of state universities under threat. Political analysts say that state governments have now started looking at posts like vice chancellor as a ‘reward for loyalty.’ This has a profound impact on the quality of education, the seriousness of research, and academic freedom.
The road to a solution: suggestions for improvement
There should be an independent and transparent selection committee for the selection of the Vice Chancellor, which includes academicians, administrative officers, and experts. The selection process should be made public. Education should be kept away from political agendas. Appointments should be ensured based on merit and not based on political proximity. Permanent appointments should be given priority over acting vice-chancellors so that long-term plans can be implemented. There should be better coordination between UGC policies and state government plans so that policy confusion can end.
Student and Faculty Participation: Participation of students and faculty in university governance must be ensured so that decisions are taken keeping in mind public interest and academic interests.
The leadership of education cannot remain vacant.
In a state like Haryana, which is moving towards becoming an industrial and social leader, the leadership vacuum in universities is extremely worrying. Unless universities get capable, visionary, and independent leadership, reforms in higher education will remain limited to documents and declarations. Haryana must immediately appoint capable vice-chancellors in its universities to implement the National Education Policy, prepare for global competition, and inspire students towards innovation. The future of education depends on leadership, and without leadership, any reform is impossible. Haryana must now decide—will it make education a political tool or the foundation of social change and knowledge? The answer is clear: higher education will improve only when universities have vice-chancellors.
