Breaking: Centre revokes notification dissolving Panjab University’s Senate and Syndicate
Ravi Jakhu
Chandigarh, November 5, 2025:In a major turnaround, the Central Government has withdrawn its notification dissolving the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University, effectively restoring both governing bodies and reversing its earlier decision that had sparked widespread outrage.
The withdrawal comes amid mounting criticism from the Punjab Government, academic circles, and student bodies, who had condemned the dissolution as unconstitutional and an assault on the university’s autonomy.
Click the link to read notification copy: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sPvgY4is9W146ROyeCcN-y9TRVHqSqf8/view?usp=sharing
Punjab Government’s Strong Objection and Legal Push
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had earlier termed the Centre’s move as “unconstitutional and arbitrary,” announcing that the Punjab Government would challenge the decision in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mann said the state was “fully prepared to fight this legal battle” against what he described as an act of “high-handedness aimed at undermining Punjab’s rightful role in the governance of Panjab University.”
“This is not just about a university; it’s about protecting Punjab’s constitutional and educational rights,” said the Chief Minister, adding that the state had planned to form a special panel of senior and expert lawyers to defend its case.
The Punjab Government also indicated that the matter would be raised in the Punjab Legislative Assembly, to ensure both legal and political safeguards against any future attempts to curtail the state’s role in the university.
Backdrop: Centre’s Controversial Decision on Punjab Day
The now-withdrawn notification, issued by the Ministry of Education on November 1 (Punjab Day), had dissolved the 59-year-old Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University and approved a complete restructuring of the two top governing bodies — a move that replaced elected representation with a fully nominated governance model.
Under the proposed changes, the Senate’s strength was to be reduced from 90 to 31 members, while the Syndicate was to be transformed into a body dominated by government nominees, ending decades of academic elections.
The notification cited provisions under the Panjab University Act, 1947 (East Punjab Act 7 of 1947) to justify the reform.
The restructured bodies would have included ex-officio members such as the Chandigarh MP, UT Chief Secretary, Punjab Education Secretary, and senior officials from the Centre and state, marking a shift from democratic representation to administrative control.
These reforms were based on the recommendations of a 2021 high-level committee formed by then Vice President and PU Chancellor M. Venkaiah Naidu, which proposed reducing political interference and improving administrative efficiency.
Autonomy and Federal Concerns
The Centre’s move had triggered a storm of protest, with critics warning that the decision could dilute Punjab’s stake in the university and disrupt its historic identity as an institution jointly administered by the State of Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
Political leaders, faculty associations, and students across Punjab united in opposing the decision, asserting that any structural change must have the state’s consent under existing arrangements between the Centre and Punjab.
Status Restored
Following sustained resistance, the Central Government has now withdrawn the notification, effectively restoring the status quo of Panjab University’s governance.
Both the Senate and Syndicate will continue to function under the previous democratic framework until further notice.
Also Read: Panjab University Row: Punjab Govt to move HIgh Court against dissolution of Senate and Syndicate