The University of Kashmir is facing a significant staff shortage, with nearly 20% of its 2,859 sanctioned posts lying vacant as of February 2024, according to information obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) application. This revelation sheds light on the challenges faced by the university across various departments due to the absence of key staff members, including professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and junior assistants.
A Jammu-based RTI activist, Raman Kumar Sharma, filed the application in February 2025, uncovering the extent of the vacancies within the university. The data provided by the Central Public Information Officer, Ghulam Mohammed Wani, who also serves as the Assistant Registrar at the University of Kashmir, paints a concerning picture of the staffing situation within the institution.
Faculty Shortage at the University
Among the sanctioned 2,859 posts, a staggering 570 positions were found to be vacant as of February 29, 2024. This shortage primarily affects the faculty, with over 200 key positions of professors, associate professors, and assistant professors remaining unfilled. Additionally, 110 junior assistant roles are currently without staff, further exacerbating the staffing crisis.
According to Wani, the university is grappling with a shortage of professors, associate professors, and assistant professors, with significant gaps in the sanctioned positions. For instance, out of the 56 sanctioned professor posts, 47 are vacant, while 91 out of 120 associate professor positions remain unoccupied. Similarly, only 291 assistant professor roles are filled, leaving 80 posts vacant. Additionally, several administrative positions, including directors, dean of college development council, dean of students’ welfare, and academic coordinators, are also vacant.
Wide Range of Vacancies Across Departments
The RTI application further revealed a myriad of vacancies across various departments and administrative roles within the University of Kashmir. Positions such as professor-cum-principal (nursing), assistant professors in nursing, tutors, deputy directors, assistant directors in different departments, assistant librarians, placement officers, and senior instructors at the Institute of Music and Fine Arts are among the unfilled posts.
Moreover, administrative roles like joint registrars, deputy registrars, assistant registrars, assistant programmers, auditors, coaches, computer operators, Hindi typists, and junior engineers are also vacant, indicating a widespread staffing issue that extends beyond academic positions. The absence of crucial personnel in these roles can significantly impact the university’s operations and academic functions.
The staffing shortages at the University of Kashmir underscore the pressing need for recruitment and retention strategies to address the vacant positions and ensure the smooth functioning of the institution. As stakeholders work towards resolving these challenges, it is essential to prioritize the recruitment of qualified candidates to fill the gaps and support the university’s academic mission and administrative functions.
