Bhubaneswar Faces Lecturer Shortage: Over 2,000 Positions Unfilled in State Universities

Significant Vacancy in Educational Institutions

Bhubaneswar: Currently, there are 2,164 lecturer positions unoccupied in government universities and colleges throughout the state.

According to Higher Education Minister Suryavansi Suraj, 1,404 of the 2,073 approved lecturer roles across 17 government universities remain unfilled, as he disclosed in the Assembly on Friday.

In response to a query from BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahu, the minister noted that out of 3,174 sanctioned non-teaching staff positions, 2,286 are also vacant in these institutions. He assured that universities are taking measures to address the lecturer shortages, and the State Selection Board (SSB) has been asked to commence recruitment for the non-teaching vacancies.

Additionally, the minister revealed that 760 lecturer roles out of 2,407 sanctioned in various government colleges under the Higher Education department are still open. Likewise, 1,026 out of 1,712 non-teaching positions in these colleges are unfilled.

The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has already announced plans to recruit for 385 vacant lecturer roles, while the state government has urged the Commission to proceed with hiring for the remaining vacancies. The SSB has also been tasked with filling 101 non-teaching positions, with 74 candidates already selected.