The office of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has, for the past four months, been sitting on recommendations made by panels for the vice-chancellor's post at Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, and the Central University of Kerala, data accessed under the RTI Act shows.

Eight universities — the Visva-Bharati, the Central University of Kerala, the Pondicherry University, the English and Foreign Language University, the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, the Rajiv Gandhi University, the Mahatma Gandhi Antararashtriya Hindi Vishvavidyalaya and the Jamia Millia Islamia — lack regular VCs.

The ministry of education started the process of appointments at these institutions almost a year ago. The Telegraph filed an RTI application early in September to know its progress.

The MoE appoints VCs in central universities by issuing ads, setting up search-cum-selection committees and issuing appointment letters with the approval of the Visitor, the President of India.

The MoE has provided information on two varsities. According to the RTI reply, the MoE issued an ad for Visva-Bharati's VC on December 13, 2023. January 12, 2024 was the last date for applications.

A search-cum-selection committee was set up on February 23 helmed by Sachidananda Mohanty, former VC of the Central University of Odisha, which met aspirants on April 23 and 24, and gave its list on June 28 to Pradhan’s office.

At the Central University of Kerala, the VC's post fell vacant on October 29, 2023. A panel headed by former UGC chairman D.P. Singh met candidates and gave its list to Pradhan’s office on June 28 this year.

"The matter is under consideration,” the reply said on the delay.

No reply has come on the other six varsities.

Two retired bureaucrats told this newspaper that the MoE nowadays sends files on VC appointments to the Prime Minister's Office and delays "happen there".

An email has been sent to higher education secretary Sanjay Murthy for the MoE's views on the delays. His reply is awaited.