St. Stephen's College Ignores Delhi University Inquiry Into Teacher Appointments
A Delhi University committee investigating teacher appointments at St. Stephen's College in Delhi has revealed that the college has failed to respond to multiple official notices seeking details on its candidate shortlisting process. The committee, which was constituted on April 29 to examine appointment-related issues, has been forced to rely on public website information as the college continues to make appointments regardless of the probe.
The committee, headed by Professor Inder Mohan Kapahy, has issued multiple written communications to the college. According to committee member and Delhi University executive council member Aman Kumar, the panel has made little progress due to the lack of cooperation.
"We had sought details regarding the shortlisted candidates, including their academic performance indicator (API) score from the college," Kumar said. He noted that without these details, the committee cannot properly probe the matter and has ended up sending repeated reminders while the college has gone ahead and appointed the candidates.
The inquiry was initiated after concerns arose regarding the college's shortlisting criteria. Delhi University rules state that a maximum of 40 candidates can be shortlisted for the first unreserved vacancy, and 20 for each subsequent vacancy. However, St. Stephen's College reportedly shortlisted 70 candidates per vacancy.
To address this, Joint Registrar (Colleges) Rohan Rai sent letters on May 11 and June 10 to St. Stephen's College Principal Susan Elias. The June 10 letter requested the college's shortlisting criteria, the list of shortlisted candidates with their API scores, and reasons for not following the university-approved criteria.
Delhi University Registrar Vikas Gupta stated that the college's unwillingness to cooperate is making the committee's work more challenging. Gupta emphasized that being a minority institution does not allow the college to flout rules or act uncooperatively.
Queries sent to Principal Susan Elias and governing body chairman Paul Swarup did not receive a response.
