The Odisha government is gearing up to fast-track the appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs) in 15 state universities while simultaneously initiating long-awaited faculty recruitment across colleges.
The move follows the lifting of previous restrictions and reflects the state’s renewed focus on strengthening its higher education system.
Under the recently passed Odisha Universities (Amendment) Act, 2024, the government is preparing to release an official notification to begin the VC appointment process. As per the new guidelines, a three-member selection committee will be constituted for each university to select qualified candidates.
In parallel, the state will begin filling approximately 1,353 vacant teaching posts in various universities, according to the Higher Education Minister. This follows a significant development last month when the Supreme Court struck down the 2020 amendment, which had controversially shifted recruitment under the purview of the Odisha Public Services Commission (OPSC), defying University Grants Commission (UGC) norms.
The earlier recruitment plan, introduced by the previous government under the 2020 University Amendment Bill, had triggered backlash from academics and the UGC, leading to a legal deadlock. Critics argued the move undermined academic autonomy and violated national standards.
With the Supreme Court now invalidating the 2020 law, the 2024 amendment aligns Odisha’s recruitment process with UGC regulations, ensuring a standardized and transparent hiring framework. The decision has been widely welcomed by university administrators and teaching aspirants.
The Higher Education Minister confirmed that the state is committed to implementing the court’s directive promptly and aims to complete the appointments without further delay.
