Chandigarh: More than a decade after Panjab University (PU) first raised red flags over PhD degrees issued by a Meghalaya-based university in 2013, the varsity has finally moved to pull the plug on faculty appointments linked to the disputed qualifications. Around 17 teachers have been identified so far, many of them working in private colleges in Chandigarh.In a move that revives a controversy dating back to 2013, PU has directed affiliated colleges to initiate action within 30 days after withdrawing provisional approval granted to appointments where eligibility was attained on the basis of the Meghalaya PhD degrees. Among those identified are two computer science teachers serving at a private college in Sector 10, officials said.The development comes after years of internal inquiries, legal consultations and repeated deferments, despite the university’s Syndicate flagging such degrees as unrecognised in 2013. Even as concerns remained on record, appointments continued to receive approvals or remained pending for years before the issue resurfaced.According to a senior PU official, around two of the identified teachers had already secured university approval, while several others were awaiting clearance when the matter came up again. “We have asked principals of affiliated colleges to comply with the direction within 30 days. As of now, around 17 teachers are in our notice,” the official said.The June 10 communication issued by the deputy registrar (colleges) to principals of PU-affiliated colleges stated that the competent authority had decided to withdraw provisional approval granted to appointments of teachers who attained eligibility on the basis of PhD degrees obtained from the Meghalaya-based university.Curiously, while university officials indicated that most identified cases are concentrated in private colleges in Chandigarh, the communication was circulated across affiliated colleges generally rather than being addressed specifically to institutions where affected teachers are serving.The issue has travelled a long route through committees and courtrooms. Following concerns over the validity of degrees, a university committee had visited Meghalaya to verify records, with its findings later placed before the Syndicate. However, action remained frozen for years after PU’s legal retainer advised restraint due to pending litigation before the Supreme Court and other judicial forums.The matter regained momentum after a Feb 13, 2025 Supreme Court judgment involving the CMJ Foundation and the state of Meghalaya. According to the university communication, fresh legal opinion obtained by PU held that the ruling pertained to the dissolution of the university and did not alter the status of degrees that had already come under question in earlier proceedings.The university also cited findings of a three-member committee, which reportedly observed that none of the affected teachers had approached Meghalaya authorities for verification or authentication of their PhD degrees.With colleges now asked to report compliance within 30 days, questions are likely to intensify over why action on an issue flagged over a decade ago took so long to translate into administrative action and what it could now mean for faculty appointments built on the disputed qualifications.BOX- Timeline2018: PU committee visited Meghalaya to verify CMJ University degrees after concerns over validity emerged2022: PU held action in abeyance citing pending court cases and legal adviceFeb 13, 2025: Supreme Court delivered judgment in CMJ Foundation-State of Meghalaya caseJune 10, 2026: PU ordered colleges to act within 30 days after withdrawing provisional approvals linked to CMJ PhDs.
