Centre begins process to appoint new VC at NEHU-Shillong after months of protests

The Ministry of Education has initiated the process to appoint a new vice-chancellor for North-Eastern Hill University, inviting online applications from eligible candidates until June 18.

The Centre on Wednesday initiated the process for appointing a new vice-chancellor for North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong, amid continuing uncertainty over the functioning of the institution.

The Ministry of Education invited online applications from eligible candidates for the post. The application process will continue till June 18, according to an official notification.

The vice-chancellor, as the academic and administrative head of the university, should possess ''the highest level of competence, integrity, morals and institutional commitment'', it said.

Eligible candidates must be distinguished academicians with at least 10 years' experience as a professor in a university or equivalent experience in a reputed research or academic administrative organisation, along with evidence of academic leadership, it added.

The selected candidate will receive a fixed monthly salary of Rs 2.10 lakh, a special allowance of Rs 11,250 and other admissible benefits.

The notification said the appointment would be made from a panel of names recommended by a committee constituted under the act governing the university.

The development comes against the backdrop of prolonged protests and unrest on the NEHU campus.

Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla has remained largely away from the campus since proceeding on leave in November 2024 amid protests by students' and teachers' organisations demanding his removal over alleged administrative and governance issues.

Several organisations had staged demonstrations and sought the Centre's intervention over the functioning of the university administration.