A university is not just its buildings or bureaucracy – it is a beacon of knowledge, a refuge for scholars, and a foundation for the future. When leadership falters, the entire institution stumbles. The crisis unfolding at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) is more than an administrative deadlock; it is a warning sign of deeper structural failures within India’s higher education system. If unresolved, it may leave an entire generation without direction.
By Bijoy A. Sangma
A Legacy in Peril
For over five decades, NEHU stood as the academic lifeline of Northeast India. Established in 1973 by an Act of Parliament, it was envisioned as a centre of excellence that would nurture intellectual talent, drive research, and bridge the region’s educational divide. The university was a magnet for scholars, drawing faculty from across India and abroad, fostering a vibrant research culture that shaped public administration, science, and the arts.
Yet, in recent years, this once-thriving institution has begun to wither. A storm of governance disputes, bureaucratic stagnation, and declining national rankings has tarnished its reputation. Faculty members voice concerns over administrative inefficiencies, students stage protests against leadership, and its global standing crumbles. As these crises unfold, NEHU finds itself at a crossroads – can it reclaim its former glory, or will it become a cautionary tale of institutional decay?
The Vice-Chancellor’s Transition
At the heart of NEHU’s troubles is its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, whose tenure has been marred by controversy. Since assuming office in July 2021, his leadership has faced scrutiny from both faculty and students. Concerns over transparency in academic appointments, decision-making bottlenecks, and a perceived disconnect between administration and academia have led to growing unrest.
By 2022, tensions escalated as faculty members demanded greater participation in governance and accountability in resource allocation. The administration, in turn, cited restructuring efforts and procedural delays as reasons for the institutional slowdown. But the fractures in trust deepened.
The Freefall in Rankings
The warning bells became deafening in October 2024, when NEHU suffered a dramatic plunge in India’s national university rankings – from 59th in 2021 to 136th in 2024. The sharp decline signified more than just a statistical shift; it reflected deeper problems – dwindling research output, stalled faculty appointments, and a loss of institutional credibility.
While the administration attributes this decline to broader trends affecting public universities – budget cuts, shifting evaluation metrics, and bureaucratic hurdles – critics argue that leadership failures have exacerbated the crisis. The consequences are far-reaching: lower rankings mean reduced research funding, fewer academic collaborations, and declining student enrolments.
A Campus on the Brink
By November 2024, student unrest reached a boiling point. Frustration over administrative inaction and academic stagnation culminated in an indefinite hunger strike, with students demanding leadership change. This was not just a protest against one individual – it was a rebellion against a system perceived as broken.
In response, the administration made key appointments, naming Prof. Sherwin May Sungoh as Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Shillong campus and Dr. Fameline K. Marak as Pro-VC of the Tura campus. But instead of easing tensions, the appointments backfired. Both appointees declined their roles, sending a clear message of discontent within the university’s leadership.
To stabilize the situation, Prof. Nirmalendu Saha was named Acting Vice-Chancellor after Prof. Shukla took temporary leave. Yet, the move was widely seen as a stopgap measure rather than a meaningful resolution. NEHU remained leaderless, its future uncertain.
Politics and the Battle for Autonomy
As the crisis deepened, political entities stepped in. The Voice of the People Party (VPP) sought to mediate between stakeholders, but the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) firmly rejected political interference in university governance. This raised a fundamental question: Where does legitimate oversight end, and undue political intervention begin?
Across India, universities struggle with balancing academic autonomy against external influences. While government support is crucial for public institutions, excessive political interference risks undermining academic freedom. NEHU now stands as a microcosm of this national debate – can Indian universities maintain their independence while ensuring accountability?
A Government in a Dilemma
By February 2025, demands for Prof. Shukla’s removal had escalated to the highest echelons of power. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar responded cautiously, asserting that any decision must adhere to legal and statutory provisions.
This bureaucratic stance prolonged the crisis, leaving the university in limbo. The Non-Teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) urged the Education Ministry to grant special statutory powers to the Acting VC to restore stability. Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma pushed for a resolution at the central level.
A Fragile Attempt at Restoration
On March 22, 2025, Prof. Shukla made a public appeal to faculty members, urging cooperation to rebuild NEHU. He attributed delays in faculty promotions to prolonged unrest and promised swift action. But for many, the damage was already done – trust had been shattered.
Just days later, the crisis took a political turn. On March 25, Shillong MP Dr. Ricky A. J. Syngkon raised the issue in Parliament, demanding Prof. Shukla’s removal, citing inefficiency, corruption, and an exodus of scholars from NEHU. The Vice-Chancellor, he argued, had abandoned his post in the face of protests, leaving the university in chaos.
In an unexpected reversal, Prof. Sungoh and Dr. Marak accepted their Pro-VC roles on March 25 and 26, following an Executive Council resolution from November 14, 2024. Some viewed this as a step toward stability, but the North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) fiercely opposed their appointments, citing procedural violations.
The Education Ministry has since launched an inquiry into Prof. Shukla’s alleged mismanagement. NEHUTA has called for the report to be made public, emphasizing that transparency is key to restoring faith in NEHU’s leadership. The findings could determine whether the university finds stability or spirals further into uncertainty.
Beyond NEHU: A Wake-Up Call for Higher Education
NEHU’s crisis is not an isolated case. It reflects the broader governance failures plaguing Indian higher education. The university’s decline offers crucial lessons:
- Decentralized Decision-Making: Universities must curb over-centralization and empower faculty and students in governance.
- Transparent Leadership: Academic appointments and promotions must be transparent to restore institutional credibility.
- Autonomy vs. Political Influence: Universities must safeguard independence while engaging constructively with policymakers.
- Student-Centric Policies: Governance must prioritize student welfare and academic progress.
- Reinvigorating Faculty Engagement: Research incentives and global collaborations are key to institutional excellence.
- A Visionary Leadership Model: The Vice-Chancellor’s office must move beyond crisis management and articulate a long-term vision.
Can NEHU Rise Again?
Great institutions do not crumble overnight, nor are they rebuilt in a day. NEHU’s revival depends on bold reforms, transparent governance, and a renewed commitment to academic excellence.
Given that NEHU serves as the central academic institution for approximately 80,000 students including from affiliated colleges, the Honourable High Court of Meghalaya may take Suo-motu cognizance of the matter to protect their academic future and ensure the university does not remain in administrative limbo.
The university’s fate is not just about rankings or funding – it is about the future of the students who depend on it for education and opportunity. If NEHU fails to reclaim its glory, it will not be the administrators who suffer. The cost of failure will be borne by an entire generation left without guidance, without opportunity, and without hope.
(The author is a development professional, policy analyst, a lawyer, commentator on governance, economic policies, social justice and religious freedom. He can be reached at bijoy.sangma@gmail.com)
