New Delhi, July 28, 2025 — Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is under scrutiny after the Ministry of Education (MoE) formally sought a written explanation for her unexplained absence from a critical national conference of Central University Vice-Chancellors held in Kevadia, Gujarat, earlier this month.
The two-day conference, which took place on July 10–11, 2025, was organized to mark five years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and brought together top officials from Central Universities, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the Ministry itself. The event was seen as an important milestone to assess NEP implementation and outline the roadmap for the future of Indian higher education.
Despite being invited well in advance, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit failed to attend the conference and did not seek prior approval or communicate her inability to participate. According to officials familiar with the matter, she was the only Vice-Chancellor absent without authorization or notice.
Ministry Takes Absence Seriously
A senior Ministry official confirmed that a letter has been sent to Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit requesting clarification. The ministry views the absence as a serious breach of protocol, particularly given that the conference was aligned with national education reforms and hosted by the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“This was not a casual meet. It was a gathering of the country’s top academic leadership to evaluate NEP’s success, identify gaps, and collaborate on future strategies. Being absent without notice undermines the spirit of collective responsibility,” the official stated.
JNU Event Held Concurrently Raises Eyebrows
Interestingly, JNU was hosting its own three-day Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) event from July 10 to 12, and Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit was reportedly involved in the inauguration and planning of that conference. However, the MoE letter emphasized that while her presence at JNU was understandable for the first day, she could have traveled to Gujarat for the second day of the national Vice-Chancellors’ meet.
The lack of communication from her end appears to have escalated the matter. According to officials, no formal exemption request or written communication was submitted to the Ministry explaining the clash or expressing regret.
A Question of Leadership and Accountability
The incident has sparked a wider debate about leadership accountability in India’s public universities. As one of the country’s most high-profile academic institutions, JNU is expected to lead by example in national policy dialogues. The absence of Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit at a central conference — without formal notification — is now being viewed as a breach of that expectation.
Critics have also pointed out that the Vice-Chancellor’s non-attendance may reflect a growing disconnect between central institutions and national education planning mechanisms.
“For someone holding such a key position, skipping a national event tied to NEP implementation without notice sends the wrong signal to the academic community,” said an education analyst from Delhi University.
Background on Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit
Appointed in February 2022, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is the first woman Vice-Chancellor of JNU. A scholar in International Relations, she holds degrees from the University of Madras and Jawaharlal Nehru University itself. She has served in academic and administrative roles at various institutions, including the University of Pune.
Since assuming leadership at JNU, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit has been a vocal proponent of Indian knowledge systems, research reforms, and academic nationalism. However, her tenure has also seen occasional controversy, including ideological clashes and governance concerns.
What Happens Next?
The Ministry of Education has made it clear that it expects a written explanation from Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit regarding her absence. While no disciplinary action has been indicated yet, officials say that future non-compliance with key national engagements could lead to formal censure or be reflected in performance reviews.
Whether Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit responds publicly or addresses the matter quietly within administrative channels remains to be seen. So far, neither JNU nor Pandit has issued an official statement on the matter.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the growing emphasis the Ministry is placing on collaborative governance and transparent communication in India’s higher education ecosystem. As JNU continues to be one of the torchbearers of academic discourse in the country, the actions and accountability of its leadership — particularly someone as influential as Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit — carry significant weight.
All eyes are now on JNU and its Vice-Chancellor as stakeholders await a formal clarification that could set the tone for future administrative conduct across India’s Central Universities.
