Tripura University Under Scrutiny: Controversy Over Confirmation of 38 Faculty Members Sparks Serious Questions

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, February 17, 2026

Serious concerns have emerged inside Tripura University over the confirmation of 38 faculty members, with university sources alleging that the process was carried out without approval from the competent authority, the Executive Council (EC).

According to sources within the university administration, the confirmations were granted to Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Professors by the In-Charge Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Shyamal Das, reportedly without placing the matter before the Executive Council, which under the Tripura University Act and Statutes, 2006, is empowered to take final decisions on confirmation of probationary teachers.

Tripura University sources said that the EC is the statutory authority responsible for confirmation of both teaching and non-teaching employees across the hierarchy. The sources claimed that in the 48th Executive Council meeting, directions were allegedly issued not to proceed with confirmations, yet confirmation letters were later issued.

“The Executive Council alone is competent to confirm probationers. The process requires scrutiny of service records and Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) before any decision is taken,” a university source said.

Sources familiar with university service rules stated that during EC meetings, the Registrar, functioning as Ex-officio Secretary is required to place the ACRs of probationers before members. Based on individual assessment, the EC may recommend confirmation, extension of probation or termination.

According to the same sources, issuing confirmation letters without EC approval may amount to deviation from statutory procedure.

Tripura University sources also pointed out that the composition of the current Executive Council is reportedly under challenge before the Tripura High Court, with allegations that certain members are part of the EC in violation of provisions under Clause 12 A(1) of the university’s Act.

The existence of an ongoing legal case, sources said, has added further complexity to the situation.

Some university insiders have expressed concern that if statutory procedures are later found to have been violated, the confirmations could come under legal scrutiny. They referred to earlier recruitment controversies in other sectors where large numbers of appointments were cancelled by courts. As of now, no detailed official statement has been issued from the university administration regarding the allegations.

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