Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU) in West Bengal has operated without a permanent Vice-Chancellor (VC) for two years, stalling major decisions and leaving a state-of-the-art campus unused in Kolkata. The leadership vacuum affects students, delays National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation, and freezes recruitment and research.
Leadership Vacuum Impacts NSOU
NSOU has lacked a permanent VC since Professor Shubho Sankar Sarkar completed his term in September 2022 . Officiating VCs cannot make significant policy decisions. Key administrative positions, including registrar and finance officer, also remain filled by temporary staff.
Anirban Ghosh, Professor of Chemistry at NSOU, states the absence severely hampers the university. Bornona Guhathakurta Banerjee, Professor of Political Science, notes this prevents long-term planning and decisive governance.
NEP 2020 Transition Stalls
West Bengal is implementing NEP 2020 reforms. The policy requires upgraded laboratories, industry collaborations, and new curricular structures. NSOU cannot adapt to these demands without a permanent VC to approve changes.
Professor Ghosh explains the NEP’s maximum impact is felt by students in lab-based and practical-oriented programs. The policy introduces a four-year undergraduate structure and reconfigures postgraduate programs. These changes demand enhanced lab infrastructure and formal partnerships, which NSOU cannot establish.
Students Face Academic Hurdles
NSOU attracts students to programs like Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) and Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT). Students enrolled in these and other courses face challenges due to the leadership crisis.
Professor Ghosh warns NSOU’s competitive advantage is at risk. He states faculty feel demotivated. PhD students complete work and submit theses on time. However, processing and degree awards are delayed because no VC can approve them.
New Campus Remains Unused
A fully constructed integrated campus in New Town, Kolkata, has stood vacant for nearly two years. The facility was designed to house all academic, administrative, and laboratory functions under one roof. A proper handover process has not occurred due to the VC’s absence.
Departments needing laboratory access suffer direct academic consequences. Niladri Sekhar Mondal, Professor of Environmental Science, highlights the problem. The department introduced postgraduate and PhD programs. These require sophisticated research infrastructure, which the unused campus would provide.
Recruitment and Research Frozen
The leadership vacuum has frozen all recruitment since 2019 . Faculty hired then remain unsure about work locations and research facilities. No new appointments have been made.
Research funding approvals from government, external agencies, or internal budgets are blocked. PhD thesis processing and subsequent actions are halted without a VC to make decisions. The temporary finance officer cannot approve major financial outlays.
University Ranking Declines
NSOU previously performed well in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). In 2024 , it ranked just after IGNOU among open universities. Professor Banerjee states NSOU is now lagging due to the absence of top administration. She calls any slippage a serious warning sign.
Regional Centers Suffer
The impact extends to NSOU’s regional centers across West Bengal. These centers struggle with inadequate planning and infrastructure development, particularly for subjects like Chemistry and Environmental Science. The university relies on retired faculty to maintain courses, which is not a sustainable solution.