Jamshedpur: Kolhan University is in the centre of an investigation in Jharkhand’s much-discussed university promotion scam, following directives from the Raj Bhavan and the Supreme Court. The probe, which gained momentum after large-scale irregularities surfaced in May 2025, has exposed serious violations of service rules that have shaken the foundations of the state’s higher education system.
According to the findings of the investigation, several employees at the Kolhan University were granted promotions by bypassing established norms and statutory provisions. In a glaring violation, laboratory assistants were first promoted to the post of demonstrator and subsequently elevated directly to senior academic positions such as associate professor. Investigators have also found instances where Class-IV employees were illegally inducted into the teaching cadre and even appointed as heads of departments.
A high-level inquiry committee has identified a total of seven Kolhan University employees who allegedly benefited from these unlawful promotions. Of them, three have since passed away, while the remaining four have been summoned to appear before the Higher and Technical Education Department in Ranchi on January 29 to present their side of the case.
The inquiry has further revealed that some of the employees involved were originally appointed on compassionate grounds to non-teaching posts. As per existing rules, such employees are not eligible for appointment or promotion to teaching positions under any circumstances. Despite this, investigators say an improper process was followed to first designate them as demonstrators and later absorb them as university teachers.
The Supreme Court–mandated committee has termed these promotions a clear violation of the University Act and service regulations. The report notes that the illegal advancements not only compromised academic standards but also imposed an additional financial burden of several crores of rupees on the state exchequer due to higher salaries and service benefits.
Sources said the Higher and Technical Education Department is treating the matter with utmost seriousness and is considering steps such as cancellation of promotions, recovery of excess salaries paid, and disciplinary action against officials responsible for facilitating the irregularities. With scrutiny intensifying, officials expect more significant revelations in the coming days as the investigation progresses.
