Tezpur University VC enquiry has entered a crucial stage as the Tezpur University Teachers’ Association (TUTA) has urged the Union Ministry of Education to take an early decision on the report submitted against Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh. The teachers’ body said the university community has been waiting for clarity for several months after the high-level committee completed its investigation.
The demand comes amid a prolonged administrative dispute at the central university in Assam. TUTA said the enquiry report was submitted to the Ministry in May 2026, but no final decision or details of the recommendations have been communicated to the university so far.
TUTA seeks decision on VC enquiry
According to TUTA, the Union Ministry of Education constituted the high-level enquiry committee on December 31, 2025. The committee was asked to examine allegations concerning Singh and the circumstances surrounding the crisis at Tezpur University.
The Ministry had directed Singh to recuse himself from all official responsibilities and remain on leave until completion of the enquiry. The panel was initially expected to complete its work within three months. However, TUTA said that more than seven months have now passed since the committee was constituted.
The teachers’ association has now questioned why the findings have not been followed by a clear decision. It has also sought information about the recommendations made by the committee and the action proposed by the competent authority.
Background to the Tezpur University VC enquiry
The latest development follows months of protests and allegations against Singh. Teachers and students had raised concerns over alleged financial and administrative irregularities and demanded action against the Vice-Chancellor.
In September 2025, TUTA publicly sought Singh’s removal, citing allegations involving procurement, contracts, scrap disposal and construction-related matters. The association also raised concerns over infrastructure quality and administrative functioning. The allegations were disputed by the university administration, which issued clarifications on several issues.
The unrest continued for several months, with students and teachers pressing for intervention from the Centre. In December 2025, a delegation from the Ministry of Education visited the campus and held discussions with representatives of teachers, non-teaching employees and students. The university administration also sought a time-bound enquiry into the matter.
The Centre subsequently moved to formally investigate the allegations. The enquiry committee was constituted under Section 9 of the Tezpur University Act, 1993, exercising the powers of the Visitor.
Administrative changes at Tezpur University
After Singh stepped away from his duties, Professor Amarendra Kumar Das was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University by the Ministry of Education. TUTA said Das took charge on January 7, after being appointed to oversee the university’s functioning while the enquiry process continued.
The teachers’ body said academic and administrative activities gradually stabilised after nearly four months of protests. The association, however, maintained that the absence of a final decision has left important questions unresolved.
Tezpur University’s official website currently identifies Professor Amarendra Kumar Das as the Acting Vice-Chancellor. The university has continued its academic and administrative activities, including admissions, examinations, research and other institutional programmes during 2026.
Salary issue raises fresh questions
TUTA has also raised concerns over Singh’s salary while he remains away from official duties. The association referred to a Ministry of Education communication dated August 7 that advised the university to continue paying his salary, with necessary adjustment to be made later depending on the enquiry findings and subsequent action.
TUTA President Kusum K Bania questioned the statutory basis for continuing full salary payments while Singh remains away from the university. The association has also raised questions about his leave status and whether his admissible leave has already been exhausted under the applicable university rules.
The issue has therefore expanded beyond the findings of the Tezpur University VC enquiry, with questions now being raised about administrative continuity, leave provisions and the financial implications of the delay.
Teachers call for a clear outcome
TUTA has urged the Ministry of Education to bring the matter to a logical conclusion. The association argues that prolonged uncertainty is not in the interest of the university and its academic community.
The Tezpur University VC enquiry was initiated after months of campus unrest and was intended to provide an institutional assessment of the allegations and the wider crisis. With the report reportedly submitted in May, teachers are now seeking a formal response from the Centre.
The next decision from the Ministry is expected to determine the future administrative course of the university and provide clarity on the status of Singh and the recommendations of the enquiry committee. Until then, the teachers’ demand for a transparent and timely resolution remains at the centre of the ongoing issue.
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