Tripura University Cancels Violin Guest Instructor Interview Amid Controversy Over Recruitment Criteria

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 17, 2026

Tripura University has cancelled the walk-in interview for the contractual post of Guest Instructor (Violin) in the Department of Music, which was scheduled to be held on September 18, 2026.

According to a notification issued by the university on September 16, 2026, the earlier notification dated September 10 regarding the walk-in interview “now stands cancelled due to some unavoidable circumstances.” The notification has been issued by Prof. Samir Kumar Sil, Registrar (i/c), Tripura University.

The cancellation comes amid questions raised over the university's decision to advertise a Violin-specific Guest Instructor position in the Department of Music. The earlier recruitment notification had prescribed MA in Instrumental Music (Violin) as the eligibility qualification for the post.

The recruitment process had also drawn allegations from sections of the music community that the narrowly defined eligibility criteria could potentially favour a particular candidate. Questions were raised over whether the requirement was framed purely on academic and departmental needs or whether it could provide an advantage to an individual candidate.

There have also been allegations circulating against the Head of the Department of Music, Utpal Biswas, regarding the alleged involvement of a relative in connection with the proposed appointment. These allegations, however, have not been established, and no finding of wrongdoing has been cited in the university's cancellation notification.

The earlier notification had proposed the Guest Instructor engagement on a contractual basis for 11 months, with remuneration of Rs 500 per class for two classes per day, subject to a maximum of Rs 20,000 per month.

The latest cancellation notification does not specify the exact reasons behind the “unavoidable circumstances” or indicate whether a fresh notification will be issued for the post.

The development is likely to intensify scrutiny of the recruitment process and raise questions over the university's future course of action regarding the Guest Instructor positions in the Department of Music.

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