Rajkot-based Saurashtra University, one of Gujarat’s major public universities representing nearly 2.5 lakh students across five districts, is once again facing serious administrative hurdles due to its inability to appoint a permanent Examination Director. Despite repeated recruitment efforts, the post remains vacant, leading to frequent examination-related issues and raising concerns about governance, academic management, and quality assurance at the institution.
The university administration has now confirmed that a fresh advertisement will be issued to recruit a permanent Examination Director, after the only eligible candidate withdrew his application. This development has reignited criticism over ongoing delays, procedural gaps, and the impact on students whose academic future depends heavily on smooth examination operations.
A Crucial Post Lying Vacant for Years
The position of Examination Director at Saurashtra University is among the most critical administrative roles, directly responsible for managing examinations, result declarations, evaluation processes, and coordination with affiliated colleges. Alarmingly, this post remained vacant for nearly 10 years, during which time the university faced repeated complaints related to delayed results, errors in marksheets, timetable confusion, and examination mismanagement.
Around two years ago, the university attempted to resolve the issue by appointing its librarian, Nilesh Soni, as a permanent Examination Director. However, his previous service was not counted as continuous administrative experience, which eventually led to his resignation. Following this, the university once again found itself without a full-time examination head.
Recruitment Attempt Fails Again
In an effort to fill the post permanently, Saurashtra University released an official recruitment advertisement on September 13, 2024. The eligibility process concluded earlier this year, and on April 1, 2025, the university published the list of eligible and non-eligible candidates.
Out of nine applicants, only one candidate—Dr. Manish Dhamecha, who currently serves as the Planning and Development Officer at Saurashtra University—was declared eligible. The remaining eight applicants were marked ineligible based on qualification and experience criteria.
However, this lone eligible candidate eventually withdrew his application. According to university sources, Dr. Dhamecha had also appeared for interviews for the post of permanent Registrar. Although he was initially considered, the position was ultimately awarded to Ajaysinh Jadeja from Ambedkar University. Following this decision, Dr. Dhamecha reportedly withdrew from the Examination Director recruitment due to potential salary-related losses.
As a result, Saurashtra University is now left with no option but to issue a fresh recruitment notification, further delaying the appointment of a permanent Examination Director.
Impact on Students and Academic Operations
The absence of a permanent Examination Director has had a visible impact on examination management. With nearly 2.5 lakh students depending on the university’s examination system, even minor administrative lapses can create large-scale disruption.
University insiders admit that repeated “exam-related blunders” have been reported over the years, including incorrect question papers, evaluation delays, and result discrepancies. Student bodies and faculty associations have repeatedly urged the administration to prioritize the appointment of a competent and permanent examination head.
Experts believe that without stable leadership in the examination department, the university risks damaging its academic credibility, especially at a time when higher education institutions are under increased scrutiny for transparency and efficiency.
No Eligible Candidates for IQAC and CCDC Coordinator Posts
Adding to the administrative concerns, Saurashtra University has also failed to appoint permanent coordinators for two highly important academic units:
- IQAC (Internal Quality Assurance Cell) – critical for NAAC accreditation and quality benchmarking
- CCDC (Career Counseling and Development Cell) – responsible for guiding students in competitive exam preparation and career planning
In what is being described as a rare situation in Gujarat’s higher education sector, the university received no eligible candidates for these posts despite issuing a formal recruitment advertisement.
The IQAC plays a decisive role in determining a university’s NAAC performance, which directly affects funding, rankings, and institutional reputation. Similarly, the CCDC is vital for enhancing student employability and competitive exam readiness.
Given the lack of eligible applicants, the university administration has decided to conduct a re-scrutiny of applications, though officials have clarified that no fresh advertisement will be released for these posts at this stage.
Heavy Response to Non-Teaching Recruitment
While senior administrative posts continue to face recruitment challenges, the response to non-teaching vacancies has been overwhelming. On December 19, 2025, Saurashtra University released a recruitment notification for 71 positions across 36 non-teaching posts.
In total, 1,342 candidates submitted applications, reflecting high demand for stable government-linked university jobs. The most competitive category was that of Assistant-cum-Clerk-cum-Data Entry Operator, where 862 candidates applied for just 26 posts.
University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Utpal Joshi stated that:
- Class III (Data Entry Operator) posts will be filled through a written examination, the date of which will be announced soon
- Class I and Class II posts will be filled through an interview-based selection process, with approximately 15 candidates shortlisted per vacancy
Larger Questions on Governance and Planning
The repeated failure to appoint key academic and administrative officers has raised serious questions about recruitment planning, eligibility criteria, and talent attraction at Saurashtra University. Education experts suggest that rigid rules, unattractive pay structures, and slow decision-making may be discouraging qualified professionals from applying.
With NAAC accreditation cycles, student expectations, and national-level competition intensifying, universities can no longer afford prolonged vacancies in critical positions.
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The Road Ahead for Saurashtra University
As Saurashtra University prepares to issue yet another advertisement for the Examination Director post, stakeholders hope that the next recruitment cycle will finally bring stability to the examination system. Students, faculty members, and affiliated colleges are all looking for decisive action that prioritizes academic integrity and operational efficiency.
Until then, the university remains under pressure to balance its administrative shortcomings with its responsibility toward lakhs of students whose academic futures depend on timely and error-free examination processes.
For an institution of Saurashtra University’s scale and importance, resolving these long-standing vacancies is no longer optional—it is essential for restoring trust, improving quality standards, and ensuring smooth academic functioning.
