The Supreme Court was informed that six Vice-Chancellors (VCs) were appointed by the West Bengal Governor, with five more appointments set to be notified soon. These appointments have been made amidst an ongoing legal tussle between the Governor and the state government over control of universities. The dispute raises questions about the autonomy and administration of higher education in the state.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court was informed that West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose had appointed full-term vice-chancellors for six universities, with five additional appointments expected to be finalized shortly.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani reported to a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Manmohan that a total of 11 names had been approved by the Governor, who serves as the chancellor of state-aided universities.
These names were selected from a list provided by a search-cum-selection committee headed by former Chief Justice of India U.U. Lalit. The state government has already notified the appointments of the six vice-chancellors, and the remaining five will be confirmed soon.
The bench acknowledged the submission and scheduled the next proceedings for January 8.
In July, the Supreme Court appointed the former Chief Justice to lead a panel overseeing vice-chancellor appointments for state-run universities in West Bengal. Tensions have been evident between the ruling Trinamool Congress government and Governor C.V. Ananda Bose regarding university governance.
A Search-cum-Selection Committee a designated group created to identify and suggest qualified candidates for particular roles within government or autonomous bodies.
Typically established with the endorsement of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), these committees operate under detailed principles and guidelines to promote a transparent and merit-based selection process. They are essential for filling senior positions, such as Chief Executives or roles with significant pay scales, ensuring that appointments are based on merit and the appropriateness of candidates for the respective roles.
A full-term Vice-Chancellor (VC) is appointed to manage a university for a defined period, usually between three to five years, depending on the institution’s regulations. The selection process typically involves a Search-cum-Selection Committee, which identifies and recommends qualified candidates based on their merit and credentials.
In India, the authority for these appointments differs: for central universities, the President acts as the Visitor and appoints the VCs, while in state universities, the Governor usually serves as the Chancellor and oversees the VC appointments. These roles are vital for ensuring stable leadership and effective governance within higher education institutions.