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Panel Formed to Select Panjab University VC, Senate Election Schedule Approved

Vice President and Chancellor C.P. Radhakrishnan has approved a three-member search committee to recommend candidates for Panjab University's next Vice-Chancellor. The committee is chaired by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Madhuri Kanitkar and includes two other senior academics. Separately, a detailed schedule for the long-pending Panjab University Senate elections, proposed for September-October 2026, has been formally approved. The current Vice-Chancellor has also been granted a four-month extension in her role.

Key Points: Committee for Panjab University VC Selection Formed

  • 3-member VC search committee formed
  • Present VC gets 4-month extension
  • Detailed Senate election schedule approved
  • Elections to be held in Sept-Oct 2026
  • Senate term ended in Oct 2024
2 min read

VP approves 3 member search cum selection committee to draw potential names for Panjab University VC

Vice President approves a search committee for Panjab University's next VC and a detailed schedule for the long-delayed Senate elections.

"The committee is requested to submit the names of potential candidates as soon as possible. - Official Communication"

New Delhi, March 28

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, the Chancellor of Panjab University, on Friday approved a three-member search cum selection committee to draw up a panel of 3-5 names suitable for the post of Vice-Chancellor of the University.

The committee will comprise Lt Gen (Rtd) Madhuri Kannitkar, VC Maharashtra Health University, as the Chairperson, while Prof Shashikala Wanzari, VC, NIEPA, New Delhi and Prof Vibha Tandon, Director CSIR-IICB, Kolkata, will serve as members.

The committee is requested to submit the names of potential candidates as soon as possible.

Additionally, the Vice President has approved a four-month extension for the present VC of Panjab University

In November 2025, the Vice President, CP Radhakrishnan, approved the schedule for the upcoming Panjab University Senate Elections.

The proposed schedule suggested that elections for principals and staff of technical and professional colleges be held on September 7, 2026, followed by polling for professors, and then for associate and assistant professors of university teaching departments, on September 14, 2026.

Elections for heads of affiliated arts colleges, along with professors and associate and assistant professors of these colleges, as well as registered graduates, are planned for September 20, 2026. Faculty-wise elections on campus are set for October 4, 2026, with scrutiny and counting scheduled immediately after each polling day.

The approval had been formally communicated to the Vice Chancellor of Panjab University, Prof. (Dr.) Renu Vig, through an official letter issued by Sarita Chauhan, under Secretary at the Vice-President Secretariat.

According to the communication, the election schedule proposed by the university in its correspondence dated November 9, 2025, has been cleared without any changes.

Copies of the approval letter have also been sent to Praveen P Nair, IAS, PS to the Union Minister of Education, and VP Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT Chandigarh.

Sources said the notification brings an end to the prolonged delay in holding the Senate elections. The Senate, which has a tenure of five years, completed its term on October 31, 2024.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally some movement on the Senate elections! The delay was affecting university administration. The schedule seems well-planned, spacing out the polling for different groups. Hope the process is transparent and free from any political interference. PU needs stable leadership. 👍
A
Aman W
Good to see the committee includes experts from diverse fields - health, education policy, and scientific research. But I have one respectful criticism: the process feels very top-down from Delhi. Could there have been a member from Punjab or a PU alumnus to provide local context?
S
Sarah B
As someone who studied at PU, this is crucial. The new VC must address the issues of hostel accommodation, outdated syllabi in some departments, and better industry connections for placements. The committee should look for a dynamic leader, not just an academic.
V
Vikram M
The election schedule going all the way to October 2026 feels very far away. The Senate term ended in 2024! While the VC selection is urgent, the democratic process in the Senate is equally important for day-to-day governance. Hope there are no further delays.
K
Kavya N
Positive step! Having a retired Lt. General chairing shows a focus on discipline and systematic approach. Prof. Vibha Tandon from CSIR is a great addition for promoting science and innovation. Hope the new VC strengthens PU's position among India's top universities. 🇮🇳

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