Anna University has been shaken by a scandal involving phantom professors filling numerous faculty positions across affiliated engineering colleges. The issue came to light after Arappor Iyakkam, a Chennai-based anti-corruption group, discovered that many faculty positions were held by non-existent professors. The university’s investigation revealed that 211 individuals were recorded as filling approximately 2,500 vacancies, with one person listed in over 30 different positions.
University Investigation
Vice Chancellor R Velraj confirmed the findings, stating that these 211 individuals were listed as full-time faculty across multiple colleges. “This doesn’t mean they were working in all colleges simultaneously. It is just on the records. Colleges have done it to retain their affiliation during inspections. These colleges might have paid some money to these professors to use their names on records. It was a fraud to mislead the inspection teams,” Velraj explained.
Formation of High-Level Committee
In response to the scandal, Anna University is establishing a high-level committee comprising officials from the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the state Higher Education Department to further investigate the issue. State Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi has also requested a detailed report from the university.
Scale of the Issue
The preliminary probe found 211 professors holding multiple faculty positions, while Arappor Iyakkam identified as many as 353 such professors. Among these, one professor was listed as a faculty member in 32 different colleges. The Vice Chancellor’s office reported that out of 52,500 faculty members registered with 433 affiliated engineering colleges, duplication was found in 2,500 cases.
Calls for Thorough Investigation
Arappor Iyakkam has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the university’s former director of the Centre for Affiliation of Institutions (CAI), members of its Inspection Committee, 224 college administrators, and the 353 implicated professors. Complaints have been lodged with the Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Governor R N Ravi, Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena, Higher Education Minister Ponmudi, and Higher Education Secretary Pradeep Yadav.
Inspection and Affiliation Process
Anna University’s CAI conducts annual inspections of engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu, evaluating faculty numbers, qualifications, and infrastructure. College affiliation is based on stringent AICTE requirements, including the number of full-time professors and PhD holders. This rigorous criteria likely led to the creation of phantom professors to meet the necessary standards for course approvals.
Fraudulent IDs and Further Concerns
Arappor Iyakkam’s complaints also highlight that AICTE mandates each professor have a unique ID. Despite this, 13,891 professors were found with fraudulent IDs, raising serious concerns about their qualifications and the legitimacy of their positions. The NGO insists on a thorough investigation to address these discrepancies and ensure accountability.
High Court’s Concern
The issue of vacancies in Anna University has been controversial for some time. In October 2023, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court expressed dismay over the numerous vacancies in teaching posts and directed the university Registrar to explain the delay in filling these positions. The court noted that according to AICTE norms, there should be 1,745 teaching faculty in the university, but only 981 posts were sanctioned, with 556 actively working.
The phantom professors’ scandal has unveiled significant flaws in the inspection and affiliation processes of Anna University and its affiliated colleges. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to educational standards to restore the integrity of the university’s faculty system.
(With inputs from agencies)
