Centre Avoids Disclosing Vacancy Details in Central Universities in Reply to Rajya Sabha Query by John Brittas MP

New Delhi: In its reply to a question raised by Dr. John Brittas MP in the Rajya Sabha, the Union Ministry of Education has failed to provide specific figures on sanctioned posts and actual vacancies in Central Universities, including category-wise backlog for SC, ST and OBC communities. Instead of furnishing the data, the Ministry merely stated that vacancies are a “continuous process” arising out of retirements, resignations and expansion in student strength.

While referring to the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers Cadre) Act, 2019, the Ministry reiterated procedural aspects of reservation but avoided disclosing the actual extent of unfilled reserved posts, which was the core of the question.

The government also cited that over 12,600 teaching and non-teaching posts have been filled since September 2022 through special recruitment drives, including appointments in 1648 SC posts, 841 ST posts, 2700 OBC posts and 588 EWS posts. However, without revealing the total number of sanctioned posts and existing vacancies, this statement offers little clarity on whether the recruitment has meaningfully bridged the long-standing staff shortage or backlog for SC, ST and OBC communities in Central Universities.