Education ministry withdraws Panjab University senate and syndicate restructuring

The Ministry of Education has withdrawn its earlier notification that amended the composition of the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University (PU). The decision follows consultations with students, teachers, former vice-chancellors, and the current vice-chancellor, as well as feedback received after the notification was issued.

The earlier notification issued on October 28 proposed a reduction in the Senate’s strength from 90 to 31 members, with 18 elected, six nominated, and the remaining as ex officio members. This restructuring had converted the Senate and Syndicate into fully nominated bodies, a move that prompted protests from student organisations and criticism from political leaders in Punjab.

“It has now been decided by the Ministry of Education that the aforesaid order changing the constitution & composition of the senate and syndicate shall stand rescinded,” the official press release said. The Ministry’s decision to rescind the notification follows consultations with various stakeholders.

Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari also met Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Chancellor of Panjab University, on November 6, to discuss the restructuring. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had also addressed the issue with the Union government.

Electoral mechanisms in senate and syndicate preserved

Student bodies, including the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council and the NSUI, had strongly opposed the earlier order, citing the reduction of elected representation as a violation of democratic norms within the university. Protests, hunger strikes, and legal petitions had been launched demanding the reinstatement of Senate elections.

The Ministry, after reviewing inputs from stakeholders and consultations with student organisations, has now confirmed that the constitution and composition of the Senate and Syndicate will continue as before. This decision preserves the university’s electoral mechanisms and ensures representation of students, faculty, and alumni in governance.