Sanskrit University Reviews Guest Faculty Appointments After CAG Audit Findings

The Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS) in Kalady has initiated a review of its guest faculty requirements for the upcoming academic year following critical findings by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The audit revealed that during the 2024-25 period, the university engaged 159 guest teachers, significantly exceeding the prescribed ceiling of 23, which is limited to 20% of its 136 permanent staff. This irregularity occurred without mandatory government sanction and resulted in ₹1.55 crore in remuneration payments. The CAG report highlighted weak academic planning, poor establishment control, and non-compliance with University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. Additionally, the Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC) raised concerns regarding financial mismanagement and an abnormal teacher-student ratio of 1:4, contrasting sharply with the standard 1:20 norm. Consequently, the university authorities decided that existing guest faculty contracts will only be renewed after a thorough departmental assessment of actual needs. This move aims to rectify the substantial deviation from established norms and address the disparities in student intake and staff strength identified by the audit.