Odisha governor Hari Babu Kambhampati has appointed vice-chancellors to 14 state universities, ending prolonged vacancies. The appointments come as the state grapples with staff shortages, with 2,117 faculty positions and 2,500 non-teaching posts remaining vacant.
The recruitment process began in June 2025, following the passage of the Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024. Applications were invited for 13 universities, drawing nearly 350 applications from academics across the country.
The appointments were made amid threats of statewide street protests by the Biju Janata Dal's youth and student wings, who demanded that vacant posts be filled by the end of April.
The BJD alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party government had discontinued the system of routing VC appointments through the State Public Service Commission, leading to delays.
