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Mahatma Gandhi University VC faces pressure over director appointments

The Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala is facing mounting criticism from UDF-backed academic bodies over the appointment process for directors of examination valuation centres. Senate members have raised concerns about potential violations of university norms and selection criteria.

LSN India · 24 September 2026

Mahatma Gandhi University VC faces pressure over director appointments

The controversy centres on recent appointments to oversee paper valuation camps at the university, with opposition groups questioning the selection methodology. UDF-backed members of the university Senate have challenged the director appointments, citing irregularities in how candidates were chosen against established seniority and academic merit guidelines.

The critics contend that the appointment process failed to adhere to standard university regulations governing such selections. They have called for a review of the decisions, arguing that more senior and academically qualified candidates may have been overlooked in favour of preferred nominees.

The dispute reflects broader tensions between the university administration and opposition academic bodies. With Left-aligned unions having previously raised concerns about governance issues, the latest flashpoint over director appointments has galvanized renewed scrutiny of the Vice-Chancellor's administrative decisions.

The university administration has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations. The matter is likely to feature prominently in upcoming Senate discussions as opposition members push for clarification on the appointment criteria and procedures followed.