A committee set up by the University of Delhi has found that St Stephen’s College did not follow the university’s approved rules while recruiting assistant professors for the 2025-26 academic year. The committee’s report points out irregularities in the shortlisting process and recommends that the college strictly follow the university’s recruitment guidelines to maintain fairness and consistency.
- St Stephen’s College failed to disclose shortlisting criteria before screening candidates.
- The college lowered the minimum academic score for philosophy candidates from 55 to 50.
- The selection process differed from the university’s prescribed procedures.
- The college declared recruitment results despite court directions to hold off.
- The committee urges adherence to university rules for faculty appointments.
What did the Delhi University committee find about St Stephen’s recruitment?
The committee, chaired by Inder Mohan Kapahy, reviewed documents related to the assistant professor recruitment process at St Stephen’s College. It found that the college did not share its shortlisting criteria or evaluation methods before completing candidate screening. The report highlighted that the college reduced the minimum academic score for shortlisting philosophy candidates from the university’s required 55 to 50. It also noted differences between the university’s recruitment rules and the college’s actual selection process.
How did the college handle shortlisting and candidate evaluation?
St Stephen’s College advertised vacancies on July 19, 2025, with an application deadline extended to August 9. However, the advertisement did not specify how candidates would be shortlisted or evaluated. Screening notices were uploaded only on August 11, but criteria for essay, presentation, and interview stages remained undisclosed. The college awarded marks for research publications without following the university’s standard procedure, which requires using specific approved journal lists.
Did the college follow university rules on the number of shortlisted candidates?
The university’s rules state that 40 candidates should be shortlisted for the first vacancy in each category and 20 more for each additional vacancy. Instead, the college shortlisted 70 candidates per unreserved vacancy in philosophy, with a minimum academic score of 50. The committee questioned the lack of explanation for this change and noted that the college did not publish individual Academic Performance Indicator (API) scores, making it hard for applicants to verify their evaluation.
What was the college’s response to the university’s concerns?
St Stephen’s College argued that the university’s advice on shortlisting was not mandatory. The college cited the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2018, which allow colleges to decide the number of candidates for interviews. It also claimed that as a minority institution, it was not bound by the university’s recruitment procedures. However, the university maintained that its approved shortlisting criteria are binding on all constituent colleges, including minority institutions.
Did the college comply with court orders during the recruitment process?
The college declared recruitment results on May 9, 2026, and allowed selected candidates to join on May 11, before the committee’s report was released. On May 13, the Delhi High Court ordered that recruitment recommendations should not be implemented without court approval. Despite this, the college continued the joining process and assigned duties to selected candidates, raising concerns about possible contempt of court.
What recommendations did the committee make?
The committee concluded that St Stephen’s College violated the university’s shortlisting criteria, allowing ineligible candidates to be considered. It recommended that the college strictly follow the university’s recruitment rules to ensure uniformity and fairness. The report cited the Delhi University Act, 1922, and UGC Regulations, 2018, emphasizing transparent and consistent recruitment procedures across all constituent colleges.
What is the broader context of faculty appointments at St Stephen’s College?
The findings come amid ongoing disputes over faculty recruitment at the college. Recently, the college terminated two assistant professors appointed during the previous principal’s tenure after an internal inquiry found irregularities in their appointments in the chemistry and Hindi departments. This followed a review of 25 appointments made on May 9, 2026, and a decision by the college’s governing body on September 29.
