Chandigarh: Nearly two years after Panjab University’s previous Senate completed its tenure, 122 days of protests over its governing structure and a year-long standoff later, the university still awaits the formal constitution of its new 91-member Senate.The electoral process concluded on Oct 4, but Nov 1, the traditional date for commencement of the Senate’s four-year tenure, has passed without the 47 elected fellows being formally notified or the 36 members to be nominated by Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, the university Chancellor, being announced.The previous Senate’s four-year tenure ended on Oct 31, 2024, without fresh elections being held. The absence of an elected House triggered a 96-day agitation by students under the Panjab University Bachao Morcha.The issue took another turn in Oct 2025 when the Centre proposed restructuring the Senate and Syndicate by reducing the Senate’s size and changing its composition. The move triggered widespread opposition on campus and another 26-day protest. The Centre eventually withdrew the changes on Nov 7, 2025, and the Vice-President approved the election schedule on Nov 27, ending the immediate deadlock over holding the polls.The Senate comprises 91 members, including 47 elected fellows, 36 nominated by the Chancellor, two members nominated by the Punjab legislative assembly and six ex-officio members. While results for the elected constituencies have been declared, their formal approval and notification by the Chancellor are awaited. The list of 36 nominated members is also pending.Prof Rajat Sandhir, elected from the Combined Faculties constituency, said there should be no further delay in constituting the Senate. “The notification should be issued immediately so that Panjab University has its governing body in place. The Senate is the university’s highest statutory authority and important decisions concerning the institution need to be deliberated upon and taken through this body. There is no reason for the process to be held up any further,” he said.Simranjit Singh Dhillon, elected from the Registered Graduates constituency, said the delay was unjustified, particularly after the university had already remained without an elected Senate for nearly two years. “It is absolutely unjustified that such delays continue even after the election process has been completed. The university has already lost considerable time without an elected Senate. Any further delay does not send the right signal. The notification should come without any more waiting,” he said.Jodh Singh, also elected from the Registered Graduates constituency, said the Senate should be constituted and convened before the Vice-President’s proposed visit to the university in Dec.“The Senate should be in place before the Vice-President’s visit. Important decisions taken by the present and previous vice-chancellors during the period when the elected Senate was absent should be placed before the House for discussion and appropriate consideration. The university cannot continue functioning indefinitely without its elected governing body,” he said.In the absence of the Senate, important university decisions have been handled through committees and other administrative mechanisms rather than an elected House. Once the Senate is notified, the university will also be able to initiate the process of constituting the Syndicate, its executive body, through elections among senators.The elected representatives are now seeking early notification of both categories of members so that the new House can be convened and resume its statutory functions.BOX | Senate absent since Oct 2024Oct 31, 2024: Previous Senate’s four-year tenure endedOct 2024-Jan 2025: Students staged a 96-day agitation demanding restoration of the elected SenateOct 2025: Centre’s proposed restructuring of the Senate and Syndicate triggered another round of protestsNov 7, 2025: Centre withdrew the proposed restructuringNov 27, 2025: Vice-President approved the schedule for Senate electionsOct 4, 2026: Final phase of polling concludedNov 1, 2026: Traditional date for commencement of the new Senate’s tenure passed, with its formal constitution still awaited
