Chandigarh, November 7, 2025 – The Ministry of Education has withdrawn its order to restructure the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University (PU), a move that comes after widespread consultations and protests. The initial notification, issued on October 28, 2025, proposed significant changes to the composition of these governing bodies, sparking strong reactions from students, teachers, political leaders, and farmer unions.
The rescinded notification had suggested amendments to the Panjab University Act of 1947, aiming to reduce the Senate's strength from 90 to 31 members. The proposal included 18 elected members, six nominated members, and a few ex-officio members. Critics argued that this restructuring would convert the Senate and Syndicate into largely nominated bodies, undermining the democratic structure of the university. The earlier notification also sought to abolish the graduates constituency completely and replace the elected Syndicate with a largely nominated structure.
The Ministry of Education stated that the decision to withdraw the order followed extensive feedback from stakeholders, including students, teachers, former Vice-Chancellors, and the current Vice-Chancellor. Consultations were held with various student organizations to understand their concerns.
The withdrawal of the notification has been welcomed by many as a victory for the academic community and a reaffirmation of Panjab University's democratic traditions. Student organizations and faculty members had launched protests against the proposed restructuring, arguing that it would silence independent voices and transform the university into a bureaucratic institution under central control. The University Bachao Morcha, a collective of student unions and teachers' associations, had staged sit-ins and threatened a university shutdown.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had also voiced strong opposition to the restructuring, terming it "unconstitutional" and asserting that the Union government had overstepped its powers. Mann announced that the state government would challenge the notification in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari also met with Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Chancellor of Panjab University, to discuss the issue.
With the Ministry's decision to rescind the notification, the existing governance structure of the Panjab University Senate and Syndicate will continue without the proposed changes. The Senate and Syndicate will retain their elected representation and existing electoral mechanisms. This ensures that the university's governance remains rooted in its long history and traditions.
The Ministry of Education's official press release stated that the order changing the constitution and composition of the Senate and Syndicate would be rescinded. The fresh notification clarifies that the earlier order stands rescinded under the powers conferred by Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
