Serious Allegations Over Continuation of NIT Agartala Registrar’s Service After Retirement, Demand for Independent Probe into Appointment

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, November 13, 2026

Serious allegations have surfaced over the continuation of Dr. Asish Badola as Registrar of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala, on a contractual basis following his superannuation from his parent organisation in May 2025. A complaint based on documents stated to be available in the public domain has questioned the legality of the decision taken by the institute’s Board of Governors (BoG), alleging that his continuation in service from June 2025 violated the prescribed Recruitment Rules governing the appointment of Registrars in NITs across the country.

The complaint has called for immediate intervention by the competent authorities, including the Visitor of NIT Agartala, the President of India, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Tripura Government, seeking the constitution of an independent inquiry committee to examine the appointment, contractual continuation and other alleged administrative irregularities at the institute.

According to the complaint, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, issued the applicable Recruitment Rules for the post of Registrar in NITs through notification No. F.35-5/2018/TS-III dated February 20, 2019. These rules were reportedly adopted by NIT Agartala during its 47th Board of Governors meeting held on June 26, 2019, under Agenda Item No. 47.15.

The complaint further points out that NIT Agartala had advertised the post of Registrar on June 2, 2022, through Advertisement No. F. NITA.2 (528-Estt)/2019/1647. Clause 17 of the advertisement specified that the post was to be filled through deputation or short-term contract. It also referred to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) guidelines defining the conditions governing deputation and short-term contractual appointments.

The central allegation is that Dr. Badola's appointment on deputation before his retirement from his parent organisation was permissible under the prescribed framework, but his continuation on a contractual basis after superannuation in May 2025 was allegedly inconsistent with the original recruitment conditions and applicable rules.

The complaint claims that the Selection Committee, while recommending Dr. Badola's appointment, included a remark in its minutes stating that after retirement from his parent organisation, he would continue on a contractual basis under the NIT Act and Statutes for the remaining period of his five-year tenure. The complainant has questioned the authority of the Selection Committee to make such a recommendation, arguing that no selection committee or appointing authority can introduce conditions that go beyond the prescribed Recruitment Rules.

The minutes reportedly carried the signatures of seven members, including outside experts, nominees representing the SC/ST and women categories, a Board nominee, a Ministry of Education nominee and the Director of NIT Agartala, who chaired the committee. The complaint specifically questions whether the recommendation was legally sustainable and whether the Board of Governors had the authority to approve the continuation on the basis of such a recommendation.

It has also raised questions about the role of representatives of the Ministry of Education who reportedly attended the 69th meeting of the Board of Governors, alleging that no objection was raised over the contractual continuation of the Registrar after his retirement from regular service.

The complainant argues that the matter requires scrutiny because recruitment and service conditions in centrally funded technical institutions are expected to strictly follow the applicable rules and regulations. It has further questioned the accountability of the authorities responsible for approving the arrangement.

Another significant issue raised in the complaint concerns a legal proceeding filed before the Tripura High Court in 2025. According to the document, Rajesh Das, who was also an applicant for the Registrar's post, filed WP(C) 468/2025 challenging the recruitment process. Dr. Asish Badola was reportedly named as a private respondent alongside NIT Agartala and other respondents.

The complaint has questioned the engagement of the same advocate to represent both NIT Agartala and Dr. Badola in the case. It alleges that the institute may have incurred public expenditure on legal representation for an individual respondent's defence, raising questions about the propriety of using institutional funds in such circumstances. These allegations require verification from the relevant court records, engagement documents and payment details.

The document has also raised concerns about Dr. Badola's alleged exercise of full administrative and financial powers despite his contractual status. In particular, it questions his reported functioning as Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO), arguing that the authority and responsibilities associated with the position should be examined in light of the applicable service and financial rules.

The complainant has further alleged that there are concerns over the handling and preservation of official documents and the signing of institutional papers. However, these allegations have not been independently established and would require examination of relevant administrative records and applicable rules.

The complaint also refers to concerns reportedly expressed by sections of the NIT Agartala community regarding the functioning of the institute's administration. It argues that the controversy is not merely about the continuation of one official but raises broader questions about institutional governance, transparency, accountability and compliance with recruitment procedures.

Seeking urgent intervention, the complainant has demanded that the Board of Governors reconsider the continuation of Dr. Badola as Registrar and that an independent inquiry committee examine the entire matter, including the original recruitment process, the Selection Committee's recommendation, the subsequent BoG decision, the contractual appointment, the exercise of administrative and financial powers and the alleged expenditure of public funds on legal proceedings.

The complaint has also emphasised the importance of protecting the reputation of NIT Agartala, which is considered one of Tripura's most important higher educational institutions and attracts students from across the country. It points out that more than 1,000 students are admitted to the institute every year and argues that controversies involving senior administrative appointments could affect public confidence in the institution.

The allegations have brought the functioning of NIT Agartala's administrative leadership and the oversight responsibilities of its governing authorities under renewed scrutiny. Given that the issues involve recruitment rules issued by the Union Ministry of Education, the role of the Board of Governors and the utilisation of public funds, a transparent examination of the documentary evidence would be important to establish whether any rules were violated.

However, the allegations contained in the complaint should not be treated as established findings of illegality or misconduct. The position of NIT Agartala, Dr. Asish Badola and the concerned members of the Selection Committee and Board of Governors on the allegations has not been included in the submitted document. Their responses, along with the relevant appointment orders, Board resolutions and judicial records, would be essential for a complete assessment of the controversy.

The central question now is whether NIT Agartala's decision to continue its Registrar after his superannuation was consistent with the applicable Recruitment Rules and whether the competent authorities will initiate an independent inquiry to address the allegations and ensure accountability.

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