Bihar Universities Miss Deadline for Political Science Professor Appointments
Patna faces a critical situation in higher education. Despite severe teacher shortages disrupting academic work across Bihar, eight universities have failed to meet the state government's deadline. They were supposed to post newly appointed assistant professors of political science by January 15.
Only Four Universities Complete the Process
Just four institutions have finished appointing their professors so far. These universities are Patliputra University, Veer Kunwar Singh University, B N Mandal University, and BRA Bihar University. Their completion stands in stark contrast to the widespread delays elsewhere.
Long History of Delays in the Appointment Process
The Bihar State University Service Commission advertised 280 assistant professor positions in political science back in 2020. These posts were spread across twelve conventional universities. Interviews finally took place nearly five years later, between June 17 and 21, 2025. Results came out on June 24.
University-wise allotment of selected candidates happened on July 4 last year. The commission forwarded the list to the state government in early August. However, the file then got stuck in the state education department for about five months.
Reasons Behind the Prolonged Delay
Sources cite two main reasons for this hold-up. First, a query arose regarding the appointment of state rural works minister Ashok Kumar Chaudhary as an assistant professor at Patliputra University. Second, the model code of conduct during the Bihar Assembly elections further delayed proceedings.
After the elections concluded and Chaudhary's appointment matter cleared, the department released the list to all universities on December 15 last year. Universities received clear instructions to complete the appointment and posting process within one month. They were told to prioritize institutions facing teacher shortages and having adequate student strength. Universities also had to thoroughly verify all documents submitted by candidates.
Current Status of Appointments Across Universities
As of now, only those four universities have appointed all teachers against existing vacancies. Official sources reveal that L N Mithila, Magadh, Munger, and Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur universities have completed candidate counselling. Yet they have not made a single appointment so far.
Patna University called thirteen selected candidates for counselling and document verification on Monday and Tuesday. Registrar Shalini confirmed this development. Meanwhile, Purnia, Jaya Prakash, and Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit universities have not announced any schedule for document verification. This inaction causes deep anguish and resentment among waiting candidates.
Growing Calls for Immediate Intervention
Taking strong exception to the inordinate delay, K B Sinha urged the chancellor to intervene. Sinha serves as the working president of the Federation of University Teachers' Associations of Bihar. He emphasized the need to expedite these long-pending appointments.
"The chancellor must direct the universities to appoint the selected candidates against existing vacancies at the earliest," Sinha stated. "This will prevent unnecessary mental agony for the candidates. Timely posting of these teachers would also ensure regular academic activities in educational institutions."
The ongoing failure to appoint professors worsens the already acute teacher shortage in Bihar's higher education sector. Students and institutions continue to suffer from disrupted academic work as universities miss crucial deadlines.
