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JNU VC Pandit alleged that sections of the media were promoting misleading narratives based on “false, distorted, selective, or unsubstantiated” information.
JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit. (Image: News18 Hindi)
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit has dismissed allegations of a recruitment scam at the university, describing the claims as part of a “fake malicious campaign.”
Speaking to ANI, Pandit alleged that sections of the media were promoting misleading narratives based on “false, distorted, selective, or unsubstantiated” information. She maintained that JNU’s recruitment record during her tenure had been highly transparent, particularly with regard to the appointment of candidates from SC/ST and OBC communities.
Despite this, she alleged that the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) and the JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) had targeted her through what she termed a politically motivated campaign. “No evidence, only fake propaganda,” she said.
According to the university administration, JNU has conducted more than 400 interviews and appointed over 200 candidates since February 2022. It claimed that close to 70 per cent of these appointments were from reserved and other marginalised categories.
The administration said recruitment is carried out through a multi-member selection committee consisting of three subject experts drawn from panels approved by the relevant Centres or Schools, a nominee of the President of India, the concerned Dean and the Vice-Chancellor. The Academic Council subsequently approves the candidates recommended by the selection committee.
JNU further stated that its Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) checks candidates’ qualifications and publication records in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines but does not participate in the final interview-based selection process.
Regarding publication verification, the university said the IQAC examines candidates’ research work using databases and indicators such as Web of Science, Scopus, Impact Factor and the JNU Academic Index. Publications that do not appear in these databases are assessed separately, it said.
The administration also rejected questions surrounding familial or marital relationships involving candidates, arguing that an individual’s marital status or relationship with another employee cannot, by itself, be treated as either a qualification or disqualification for employment.
On promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS), JNU said it had processed nearly 250 applications between February 2022 and March 2026. Some of these applications, it added, had remained pending since as far back as 2006.
The university administration also alleged that confidential documents referred to in media reports had been selectively leaked or circulated by individuals within the JNU community for what it described as “personal gains and vendetta.”
The allegations come after the JNU Students’ Union accused the university administration of corruption in its recruitment process. In a statement, JNUSU alleged that appointments were influenced by corruption and political affiliations linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The students’ body further claimed that corruption extended beyond teaching appointments, alleging irregularities in areas including non-teaching staff recruitment and security guard contracts. It accused the administration under the Vice-Chancellor of allowing such practices to become routine.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The JNUSU alleges that appointments were influenced by corruption and political affiliations linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). They also claim that there have been alleged irregularities in the faculty recruitment and promotion processes, and violations of rules.
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August 17, 2026, 11:05 IST
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