CAG Report Raises Alarm Over Decline in Himachal Pradesh University Ranking
Concerns about governance and academic quality at Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) have deepened after a recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report revealed serious shortcomings, coinciding with the university’s continued slide in national rankings like the NIRF.
The Compliance Audit Report (2020–21 to 2022–23), presented in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, highlights troubling issues: faculty shortages, weak academic systems, poor research output, and infrastructure gaps — all directly affecting the quality of education.
One of the most pressing concerns is the shortage of teachers. Between 27% and 37% of faculty posts remained vacant during the audit period, leaving existing staff overstretched and students without adequate guidance or research support.
Recruitment practices have also come under scrutiny. The report found irregular appointments, including faculty hired in violation of UGC norms, and certificate verification skipped in 186 cases — raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Research output has been alarmingly low. Out of 214 faculty members, only 21 projects were undertaken during the period, averaging just 0.1 projects per teacher. This points to a weakening research culture at the institution.
Infrastructure gaps have compounded these problems, with inadequate facilities hampering both teaching and research.
HPU’s decline in the National Institutional Ranking Framework reflects these issues. Experts link the drop directly to staff shortages, poor research, and administrative inefficiencies — now formally flagged by the CAG.
The report underscores a larger concern about higher education in Himachal Pradesh, where delayed recruitments, limited funding, and policy gaps are taking a visible toll.
With these findings now public, pressure is mounting on the state government and university administration to act. Without urgent steps — filling vacancies, strengthening research systems, and improving infrastructure — HPU risks further erosion of its credibility and competitiveness.
