Panel holds votes to choose VCs at 15 state universities
Times of India | 22 August 2025
Kolkata: In a first, the search committee, formed to select permanent vice-chancellors at 15 state universities, conducted votes to choose the candidates from the shortlist of VC-aspirants.
The voting system was introduced as VC selection for 17 state universities was stalled midway amid lack of unanimity on candidates' names. The process restarted on Tuesday for 15 universities with a final round of interviews of three candidates for each. The three-day exercise concluded on Thursday, when 18 shortlisted candidates for six universities appeared before the ex-CJI U U Lalit-led five-member committee, appointed by the Supreme Court. The six universities, which featured on Thursday's list, were Raiganj University, Sanskrit College and University, Diamond Harbour Women's University, Gour Banga University, Harichand Guruchand University and Kazi Nazrul University.
At the end of the exercise, an official said a former Calcutta University VC emerged as a forerunner to head the varsity. For JU, the former interim VC received fewer votes than a competitor. The interim VC at Makaut received the highest number of votes, more than the two other shortlisted candidates for the institute. Given the results, the three shortlisted names for the universities were altered.
The committee will submit 15 names for VCs at 15 universities to the SC for finalisation. Though VCs were supposed to be selected for 17 universities, the SC has already appointed Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee as the RBU VC and Sanchari Mukhodadhyay's name has been recommended for Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University, though Raj Bhavan has not yet issued her a letter. West Bengal State University was not included in this phase.