‘Irregularities’ in PhD admission at HPU to be investigated

Following a complaint of “irregularities” in the PhD admission at the University Institute of Technology (UIT), Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), the state government has directed the university authorities to look into the matter and take appropriate action.

In his complaint, Abhishek Sharma, a resident of Himachal Pradesh, had alleged that 27 out of 28 departments in the HPU, except UIT, had admitted the students on the basis of NET-JRF, CSIR-JRF or any other national scholarship. The admissions were conducted in November 2024.

As per information, the UIT has found one student eligible and his registration for the PhD course will be finalised in the standing committee. The student is not getting scholarship/fellowship from any agency, whereas as per the advertisement, only students getting scholarships are eligible for PhD, he alleged.

The applications for direct admission (without entrance test) in PhD for the session 2024-25 were invited in September 2024. The complainant alleged that it was a clear violation of norms. Twenty-seven departments admitted the candidate through proper channels, whereas one department, the UIT, has admitted the student without fellowship.