Fri May 23 20:10:32 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Delhi University (DU) has formed a committee to review a government notification that mandates periodic reviews for university employees to determine if they should be prematurely retired. This decision has sparked protests from teachers and Executive Council (EC) members who fear it will lead to a “witch-hunt,” undermine experienced faculty, and lead to the replacement of permanent staff with contractual workers. Concerns were also raised about the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) causing admission delays and vacant seats. The EC also approved a resolution to offer MA Journalism in both Hindi and English and established rules for determining teacher seniority.
**News Article:**
**Delhi University Committee Sparks Controversy with Employee Review Plan**
**NEW DELHI -** Delhi University (DU) is facing backlash after forming a committee to examine the implementation of a government notification that could lead to the premature retirement of university employees. The move, announced Friday, has been met with strong opposition from teachers and Executive Council (EC) members who argue it will create a hostile work environment and erode academic standards.
The August 2020 notification from the Centre’s Department of Personnel and Training allows the government to retire civil servants after they reach 50/55 years of age or complete 30 years of service “in public interest.”
Critics, like EC member Mithuraaj Dhusia, contend the notification is unnecessary and infringes on the university’s autonomy. They argue that the university already has mechanisms in place to assess employee performance and that the new policy could be used to target those who disagree with university administration.
“This notification is an unmitigated disaster as it will lead to [a] witch-hunt of employees who do not buckle under pressure from the authorities,” Dhusia stated.
The DU administration defended the decision, stating that the review is in response to government instructions. “We were looking into it [provisions of the notice] as they were government instructions forwarded by the Ministry,” said DU Registrar Vikas Gupta. “A committee has been formed to review its implementation.”
The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) has also voiced concerns, claiming the university intends to replace permanent employees with cheaper, contractual workers. Protesting teachers highlight the existing Annual Performance Assessment Reviews as sufficient evaluation.
Beyond the retirement policy, the EC meeting also addressed delays caused by the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), urging a review of the admission process. Members noted the delays have led to seats remaining vacant in previous years.
In other news, the EC approved a resolution to offer a two-year postgraduate MA Journalism program in both Hindi and English. The Hindi program will be taught on the South Campus. The EC also formalized rules for determining teacher seniority, prioritizing qualifications and then date of birth for positions where qualifications are equal.
The controversy surrounding the employee review plan underscores ongoing tensions between government oversight and university autonomy in India’s higher education system.
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