Garvita Odia
Bhubaneswar, Feb 10,2026: A delegation of the BJD met the governor at his official residence, Lok Bhavan, here and submitted the memorandum to the governor Hari Babu Kambhampati over the unwarranted delay in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in 13 universities and the alleged deterioration of higher education in Odisha at an alarming rate. The party also accused the ruling BJP of not taking any tangible steps to fulfil its poll promise regarding the establishment of an Odisha Adivasi Swabhiman University to promote, preserve, and research tribal art, culture, and languages.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Biju Yuva Chhatra Janata Dal, the party’s students wing, on Tuesday alleged that since the BJP formed the government in the state, the higher education sector has been subjected to unprecedented uncertainty and administrative paralysis. “Even after more than 18 months, full-time Vice-Chancellors have not been appointed in 13 universities, severely affecting academic governance, institutional leadership, research activities, and student welfare. The continued absence of regular Vice-Chancellors has pushed the higher education system of the state into a critical condition,” alleged the party.
The opposition party also raised questions on the amendments to the University Amendment Act introduced by the current BJP-led state government in 2024 and 2025, alleging that it has severely altered the transparent, merit-based process for the selection of VCs ensured by the University Amendment Act, 2020. It also threatened to hold protests if the vacant Vice-Chancellor posts are not filled by the last week of February 2026. BJD also drew attention towards the massive vacancies in the higher education institutions in the state.
