Supreme Court Clears VC Appointment in 8 West Bengal Universities, Refers 3 Remaining Posts Back to Justice Lalit Panel
The Supreme Court recently resolved a long-standing impasse over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in state-run universities in West Bengal, clearing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in eight universities while referring the remaining three posts back to the Search-cum-Selection Committee headed by former Chief Justice of India Justice Uday U. Lalit.
The matter was heard by the Bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
The matter related to the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in 36 state universities in West Bengal, which had remained stalled due to differences between the State government and the Chancellor. With the Court’s intervention and phased resolution through the Justice Lalit-led committee, appointments have already been settled in most universities. As of now, only 11 universities were without permanent Vice-Chancellors.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for the State of West Bengal, and Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani, representing the Chancellor, placed a joint note before the Court indicating a consensus on appointments in eight universities.
The Court recorded that the following Vice-Chancellors have been agreed upon: Ayan Bhattacharya for Sanskrit College & University; Sanchari Roy Mukherjee for Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University; Nimai Chandra Saha for Harichand Guruchand University; Arnab Sen for Raiganj University; Mita Banerjee for Diamond Harbour Women’s University; Arunasis Goswami for Baba Saheb Ambedkar Education University; Debabrata Basu for Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya; and Debabrata Mitra for West Bengal State University.
In view of the consensus, the Bench requested the Chief Minister of West Bengal to forward the agreed names to the Chancellor for issuance of formal appointment notifications.
The Court noted that disputes still persist with respect to three universities, North Bengal University, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology, and Netaji Subhash Open University, owing to divergent views between the parties on the recommendations and inter se merit of candidates.
As agreed by both sides, the issue concerning these three universities has once again been referred to the Search-cum-Selection Committee headed by Justice Uday U. Lalit. The Committee has been authorised to examine all materials placed by the parties and, at its discretion, either recommend a fresh panel from among the existing candidates or initiate a fresh selection process altogether.
While refraining from expressing any opinion on the merits, the Court requested the Justice Lalit-led committee to endeavour to take an appropriate decision within four weeks.
The Bench also placed on record its appreciation for the efforts of senior advocate Jaideep Gupta and the Attorney General, observing that their intervention and persuasion played a crucial role in amicably resolving a complex institutional dispute impacting the functioning of higher education institutions in the State.
With these developments, the Court held that all its previous orders would stand suitably modified.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on February 27, 2026.
Previously, in October 2025, the Court had reviewed the recommendations of the Lalit Committee, tasked with evaluating candidates for the top academic posts. Justice Kant had directed that the appointments for universities where there is agreement proceed immediately.
The Supreme Court has previously directed both sides to work towards a resolution and had also sought the assistance of Justice (Retd.) U.U. Lalit in exploring a framework to settle the issues. The case has wide implications for higher education governance in West Bengal, with the fate of several university appointments hanging in balance amid the continuing standoff between the Raj Bhavan and the State.
It is to be noted that the Supreme Court in January 2025 had granted more time to West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose in order to finalise the appointment process for vice-chancellors in the state's universities.
Case Title: State of West Bengal v. Dr. Sanat Kumar Ghosh