Cuttack: Expressing concern over large-scale vacancies in teaching posts at Odia University, where all 21 sanctioned posts of professors, associate professors and assistant professors have “remained vacant” for long, Orissa high court has directed the govt to file an affidavit in this regard within two weeks.Hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Prabir Kumar Das, who appeared in person, a bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman on Wednesday noted that all the 21 sanctioned posts of professors, associate professors and assistant professors have “remained vacant”. “We appreciate the agony and anguish shown by the petitioner in this regard, as no reluctance can be shown in deficiency of the quality education to be imparted to the future generation of the country. In a competitive world, quality education is inevitable and it is a Constitutional duty of the State to ensure seamless imparting of quality education to its citizenry,” the bench said, stressing the importance of maintaining academic standards.According to the petition, no faculty recruitment for the 21 sanctioned posts has been conducted since the establishment of the university in 2017. Consequently, three posts of professors, six of associate professors and 12 assistant professors are vacant, and the university is compelled to manage with retired professors and guest faculty.The petition also pointed out that although the matter was raised in the state assembly, “the reality is a far cry”.The petitioner argued that the vacancies are depriving students of their fundamental right to education and expressed concern that poor academic standards could hamper national development.Appearing for the state, additional govt advocate Saswat Das submitted that a search committee has already been constituted to appoint a vice-chancellor, a post lying vacant for long. He informed the court that the panel’s recommendation is being sent to the chancellor and a decision is expected shortly.Das further said that the vice-chancellor has the authority to fill the teaching vacancies under the relevant statutes and assured the court that the process would begin immediately after the appointment.The state sought time to place these details on record. Granting the request, the court directed the govt to file an affidavit within two weeks.The matter has been posted for further hearing on April 22, 2026.Odia University, a first of its kind institution, was established at Satyabadi in Puri district in 2017 as a non-affiliating unitary public university dedicated to the study and promotion of Odia language and culture. The university is functioning under the state higher education department.
