Binoy Kumar Saren, the principal of Visva-Bharati's Palli Siksha Bhavana, became the interim vice-chancellor of the central university on Saturday.

He is the third interim VC in 10 months.

A source said the VC's post had become a game of musical chairs due to the Union education ministry's abnormal in appointing a permanent VC after Bidyut Chakraborty's controversial tenure ended on September 8, 2023.

According to the Visva-Bharati's statutes, in the absence of a permanent VC, the pro-VC would assume charge. In the absence of a pro-VC, the senior-most director would be the interim VC.

"As there is neither a pro-VC nor any permanent director, the statutes suggest appointing the senior-most principal in the executive council as the acting VC. Since the terms of the previous two interim VCs in the executive council ended, a new one was appointed today (Saturday)," said Ashok Mahato, the varsity's acting registrar.

A principal's term in the executive council is six months.

After Chakrabarty's term was over, the then senior-most principal in the executive council Sanjoy Kumar Mallik assumed office last November. As his term in the EC ended in May this year, Arabinda Mondal took over. With Mondal's term ending, Saren assumed the charge on Saturday.

Saren's term in the EC ends on October 26.

"If a permanent VC is not appointed before October 26, we have to appoint another interim VC," Mahato added.

Visva-Bharati officially has no Chancellor at the moment. The tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Chancellor of Visva-Bharati ended this May and has not been renewed.

Without a permanent VC, appointments of around 350 teachers and 900 non-teaching staff have not been completed.

"Out of 800 teaching positions, 350 have been vacant since last year. The varsity is operating with only half of its 1,800 non-teaching staff. There are no permanent directors, registrar or finance officer," said a varsity official. "More concerning is that the executive council or court of Visva-Bharati has no representatives from the Chancellor or the Visitor, creating a crisis in decision-making." While the PM is the Chancellor, the President is the Visitor of the central university.

A source said interviews for the post of VC were completed in April, but an appointment was halted for the general election. "The ministry told us a permanent VC would be appointed after the election," he said, adding that it didn't happen.