Government Struggles to Fill Vice-Chancellor Posts

Fast Summary

• State-run universities in Karnataka are struggling to fill Vice-Chancellor (V-C) posts due to a lack of eligible applicants, according to Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar.
• The Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University’s V-C post remains vacant despite applications being invited. Ineligible candidates were cited as the reason for the delay.
• BJP member H.S. Gopinath referred to Nagesh Bettakote, who is currently serving as an acting V-C after his official tenure ended in January 2025; though, the Minister clarified that extensions like this are only permissible under Visvesvaraya Technological University rules.
• Data presented in the House also revealed that five additional universities lack full-time Vice-Chancellors: Gulbarga University, Bengaluru City University, Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, Maharani Cluster University, Nrupatunga University, and Mandya University.
• A search panel has already been set up for some institutions (Gulbarga University,Bengaluru City University,Gangubai Hangal),while it is yet to be formed for others (Maharani Cluster Universities included).

Indian Opinion Analysis
The inability to appoint full-time Vice-Chancellors at several state-run universities demonstrates systemic inefficiencies within higher education administration in Karnataka-ranging from attracting qualified candidates to filling leadership gaps promptly.Prolonged vacancies can disrupt academic activities and administrative decision-making across institutions meant to contribute substantially toward arts and specialized learning fields like technology.

This highlights an urgent need for streamlined recruitment policies or targeted incentives that attract competent personnel without compromising eligibility standards on merit-critical roles such university’s credibility