JNUSU, JNUTA demand resignation of JNU VC following allegations of recruitment scam

Following allegations against Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit of irregularities in recruitment of teachers, Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) on Thursday (August 13, 2026) demanded Ms. Pandit resign from her post.

JNUSU and JNUTA have addressed a charter of demands to the Visitor (President of India), the Chancellor, the Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission, and MPs which demands Ms. Pandit’s resignation.

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In a joint public statement, JNUSU and JNUTA have stated that the fundamental institutional framework of JNU — established under an Act of Parliament — is being systematically dismantled through an abuse of administrative power.

Affiliations, not merit

The unions have alleged that rules regarding appointments, promotions, and housing allotments are applied arbitrarily based on personal or political-ideological affiliations rather than merit or standardised seniority norms (for instance, bypassing the established rotation system for appointing deans and chairpersons).

“The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), under its current Director, is accused of exceeding its statutory mandate by altering, reinstating, or adding candidates to recruitment shortlists after expert screening committees at the Centre/school level had already deemed them ineligible,” said JNUSU president Aditi Mishra in a press conference at New Delhi.

Undermining statutory bodies, their meetings (such as the Executive Council) are allegedly treated as mere formalities to rubber-stamp decisions already taken by the Vice-Chancellor, restricting open deliberation and dissent, the statement further said.

Violating own statute

The statement highlights recent media coverage and official records including RTI responses and Executive Council dissent notes indicating that at least seven faculty members were allegedly appointed in direct violation of UGC regulations and JNU’s own statutes.

“Shortlists were modified by the IQAC without the knowledge or approval of the original screening committees composed of subject-matter experts, directly benefiting specific individuals (including a former PhD student of the Vice-Chancellor),” the memorandum alleges.

“Rules are allegedly stretched to favour select candidates while being rigidly or inappropriately applied to penalise others,” Ms. Mishra said.

The unions have demanded a time-bound, independent probe under Section 8 of the JNU Act to investigate recruitment practices, Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) promotions, IQAC operations, and Executive Council approvals since February 2022.

They have also demanded that the Vice-Chancellor must step aside from administrative oversight of matters under investigation and IQAC Director Prof. P.R. Kumaraswamy must be divested of all recruitment and promotion responsibilities immediately. Also, the seven faculty members named in the investigative report should be relieved of academic and administrative duties pending the outcome of the inquiry.

The charter of demands also includes immediate securing and independent custody of all electronic and physical files, screening notes, e-office logs, and Executive Council minutes related to recruitment and promotion from February 2022 onward.

“A complete review of all direct faculty appointments made since February 2022 against UGC guidelines, reservation rules, and essential qualification criteria. A public disclosure and review of the 2022 Search-cum-Selection Committee records, vigilance clearances, and background verification process that led to the appointment of the current Vice-Chancellor,” the charter states.