The HRD Ministry has decided to kick-start the recruitment exercise of vice chancellors of central universities at least nine months in advance given the lengthy selection process involved.
The move comes in wake of delays and controversies leading up to the selection of the VCs.
Even as the ministry sounded hopeful of filling up at least 10 posts soon, it said the selection process henceforth would start nine months in advance to eliminate chances of vacancies for months.
Also Read
The selection of a VC is done by a panel comprising two nominees of an university's executive council and one to two nominee of the Visitor (the President).
Fixing a date for all the members to the present, scrutinising the candidates' application and calling for interviews stretches the entire selection process, stretching on for months leading to delays, officials said.
Already, the ministry has initiated the process of selection of the VC of Jawaharlal Nehru University here whose terms ends next January.
The executive council of Delhi University has also proposed two of its names into the selection panel for appointing the next VC of DU, the post of which falls vacant in October.
The selection process of a few vice chancellors was mired in controversy recently after the process was initiated afresh by the Smriti-Irani led ministry, alleging "impropriety" in the earlier selections.
