Tamil Nadu's 15 universities run without vice-chancellors, 17 by August
Synopsis
Fifteen Tamil Nadu universities — including the University of Madras and Bharathiar University — are running without permanent Vice-Chancellors, with two more set to join the list by August. A Supreme Court hearing on the Chancellor's appointment powers, scheduled for 29 July, could determine whether this governance vacuum finally gets resolved — or deepens further.
Key Takeaways
15 Tamil Nadu universities are currently operating without permanent Vice-Chancellors , with the number expected to rise to 17 by next month.
Institutions affected include the University of Madras , Madurai Kamaraj University , Bharathiar University , and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University , among others.
The tenures of Vice-Chancellors at Alagappa University and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University are ending soon, worsening the crisis.
IAS officers have been appointed as convenors to manage universities remotely from Chennai , raising concerns over effective oversight.
The vacancy crisis stems partly from a dispute between the state government and the Governor over the Chancellor's powers in appointments.
The Supreme Court was scheduled to hear the Chancellor powers case on 29 July , with significant implications for Tamil Nadu's higher education governance.
At least 15 state universities in Tamil Nadu are currently operating without permanent Vice-Chancellors, triggering a deepening governance crisis across the state's higher education sector. The vacancies have stalled research initiatives, disrupted routine administration, and created uncertainty among faculty and students at some of the state's most prominent institutions.
Universities Affected
The institutions functioning without permanent Vice-Chancellors include the University of Madras, Annamalai University, Madurai Kamaraj University, Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil University, Bharathidasan University, Periyar University, Thiruvalluvar University, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Dr Ambedkar Law University, Tamil Nadu Open University, and Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, among others.
The situation is set to worsen. The tenures of Vice-Chancellors at Alagappa University in Karaikudi and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli are due to end next month, which would push the total number of leaderless universities to 17.
Governance Gap Runs Deeper Than VC Vacancies
Academic circles say the leadership void extends well beyond the absence of Vice-Chancellors. Several universities, including Madurai Kamaraj University, have also been without Registrars, Controllers of Examinations, Principals, and Directors for more than a year, according to reports.
To manage the gap, the state government has assigned IAS officers as convenors to oversee university administration. However, many of these officers are based in Chennai and manage multiple government portfolios simultaneously, raising concerns about effective supervision and timely decision-making at the institutional level.
Senior professors have been handed additional administrative duties in the interim — an arrangement that has reportedly fuelled seniority disputes and eroded the academic environment at several campuses.
Research and Academic Work Hit
Researchers have alleged that the absence of permanent leadership has significantly slowed long-term academic projects and research initiatives. Educationists maintain that appointing Vice-Chancellors is the only durable solution to the crisis, warning that stopgap measures are inadequate for institutions of this scale and complexity.
Political and Legal Backdrop
The roots of the vacancy crisis lie in a prolonged standoff between the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) state government and the Governor over the Chancellor's powers in university appointments — a dispute that kept appointments stalled for an extended period.
Although Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar are widely perceived to share a more cordial working relationship than their predecessors, appointments have yet to be finalised. Professors say there is little clarity on the state government's position regarding the appointment process.
All eyes are now on the Supreme Court, which was scheduled to hear the case relating to the Chancellor's powers in university appointments on 29 July — a hearing that could have significant implications for higher education governance across Tamil Nadu.
Point of View
But the human cost — stalled research, seniority disputes, IAS officers running campuses from afar — has accumulated quietly. The incoming Supreme Court ruling on Chancellor powers is a necessary intervention, but it risks becoming another delay mechanism if the state government does not move swiftly once the legal question is settled. Tamil Nadu has historically prided itself on its higher education infrastructure; allowing 17 universities to drift without permanent leadership undermines that reputation in ways that will take years to repair.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Tamil Nadu universities are without a Vice-Chancellor?
As of 29 July, at least 15 Tamil Nadu universities are functioning without permanent Vice-Chancellors. The number is expected to rise to 17 once the tenures at Alagappa University and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University end next month.
Which universities in Tamil Nadu are affected by the VC vacancy?
Affected universities include the University of Madras, Annamalai University, Madurai Kamaraj University, Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil University, Bharathidasan University, Periyar University, Thiruvalluvar University, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Dr Ambedkar Law University, Tamil Nadu Open University, and Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, among others.
Why have Vice-Chancellor appointments been delayed in Tamil Nadu?
The appointments were stalled for an extended period due to a dispute between the previous DMK state government and the Governor over the Chancellor's powers in university appointments. Although the current Chief Minister and Governor are reported to have a more cordial relationship, appointments have still not been finalised.
What is the Supreme Court's role in this issue?
The Supreme Court was scheduled to hear a case on 29 July concerning the Chancellor's powers in university appointments in Tamil Nadu. The ruling could clarify the legal framework governing Vice-Chancellor appointments and potentially unblock the process.
How is Tamil Nadu managing universities without Vice-Chancellors?
The state government has assigned IAS officers as convenors to oversee university administration. However, many of these officers manage multiple portfolios from Chennai, and senior professors have been given additional administrative duties — an arrangement that has reportedly led to disputes and disruption within academic institutions.
