The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) has released a detailed report titled “JNU: The State of the University”, claiming that the institution is facing a severe governance crisis, alongside a noticeable decline in the enrolment of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, and gaps in faculty recruitment. The report, presented on Wednesday, argues that the university’s once-strong commitment to inclusivity and academic freedom is now under strain, with decision-making becoming increasingly opaque.

I am writing about this because JNU has long been seen as one of India’s most respected universities, known for its academic diversity and democratic culture. The issues raised by JNUTA go beyond internal administration — they reflect a deeper concern about inclusivity, representation, and transparency in public universities across India. Understanding these challenges is vital because institutions like JNU not only shape intellectual thought but also mirror the health of higher education governance in the country.

JNUTA report highlights major concerns

The JNUTA report, based on institutional data and internal reviews, paints a worrying picture of declining representation, faculty shortage, and administrative lapses. The teachers’ body said the findings show a pattern of systemic neglect, with policies failing to uphold the values of equity and academic integrity.

According to the report:

• The number of SC and ST students admitted to JNU has significantly declined in recent years.
• The process of faculty recruitment has become irregular, with delays in filling sanctioned posts.
• Decision-making powers have become centralised, undermining the participatory academic culture that once defined the university.

The association accused the university administration of adopting a non-transparent approach, especially in faculty appointments and admissions.

Decline in SC-ST student representation

One of the key findings in the JNUTA report is the steady fall in SC and ST student enrolment over the past few academic sessions.

The association said that while JNU had once been a model of inclusive education, with effective implementation of reservation policies, recent trends indicate a sharp dip in representation from marginalised communities.

JNUTA members noted that the decline was visible not only in research programmes but also in undergraduate and postgraduate admissions, particularly after the adoption of the National Testing Agency (NTA)-based entrance system.

According to the report, the shift to a centralised entrance process has unintentionally disadvantaged students from rural, economically weaker, and marginalised backgrounds, who earlier benefited from JNU’s more contextual admission policies.

“The idea of JNU as a space of social justice and inclusion is being eroded,” the report stated, urging the university to review its admission procedures and ensure compliance with constitutional reservation norms.

Faculty recruitment irregularities

Another serious concern raised by the teachers’ association is the faculty recruitment gap. The report highlights that a large number of teaching positions remain vacant, affecting both academic quality and workload distribution.

JNUTA claimed that the recruitment process has become inconsistent and delayed, with appointments often pending for years. This has led to an increased dependence on guest faculty and contractual teaching staff, undermining the continuity and quality of instruction.

The teachers’ body also alleged that merit and transparency have been compromised in recent recruitments. “There are irregularities in the selection process, and the composition of selection committees is not always as per statutory norms,” the report alleged.

Members called for a comprehensive audit of recruitment processes and demanded that all vacant posts be filled promptly and fairly.

Governance and autonomy under question

A major portion of the report focuses on what JNUTA calls a “deepening governance crisis” at the university. The association said that the academic and administrative autonomy of the institution is being compromised due to excessive centralisation of decision-making.

Earlier, academic and policy decisions were discussed collectively in Academic Councils and Executive Committees, but now, according to JNUTA, these forums are being bypassed or sidelined.

The report claims that frequent top-down directives have weakened academic deliberation and collegial governance, affecting morale among faculty and staff.

“The essence of a university lies in its autonomy, in its ability to discuss, debate, and decide collectively. The recent trend of unilateral decision-making is harming JNU’s academic spirit,” the association said in its statement.

Financial and infrastructure challenges

The JNUTA report also points out issues related to funding constraints and deteriorating infrastructure. Faculty members noted that despite increased student numbers in some departments, there has been no corresponding rise in financial allocation or staff support.

Many schools and centres are reportedly struggling with shortages of classrooms, laboratories, and research materials, making it difficult for teachers to maintain academic standards.

The association urged the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to review resource distribution policies and ensure that public universities receive adequate funding to maintain quality education.

Call for restoration of academic inclusivity

JNUTA’s report concludes with a strong call for restoring inclusivity, accountability, and participatory governance at JNU. It urged the university administration to:

• Reaffirm its commitment to reservation policies in both admissions and recruitment.
• Ensure transparency in all decision-making processes.
• Conduct regular faculty recruitments to fill all vacant posts.
• Restore academic freedom and debate as cornerstones of the university culture.

“The JNU community has always thrived on its diversity and democratic values. Preserving these is not just a matter of policy but of principle,” the report said.

Response from the university administration

While the JNU administration has not issued an official statement responding to the report at the time of writing, university officials have in the past rejected allegations of bias or mismanagement. They have maintained that recruitments and admissions are conducted according to UGC norms, and that the university follows transparent procedures approved by statutory bodies.

Officials have also argued that the NTA-based entrance exams were introduced to standardise the admission process and ensure fairness across applicants.

However, JNUTA members believe that the shift has diluted the university’s unique academic ethos and has disproportionately affected marginalised groups.