University of Mysore faces staff shortage, resource crunch as NIRF ranking slides
Mysuru: The University of Mysore (UoM) which is one of India's oldest higher education institutions, has suffered a significant decline in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF 2025).
According to a report published by The Hindu, the university is facing the challenges of faculty shortage, decreased revenues and dropping student enrollment.
The university was ranked 71st in the country this year, slipping 20 places from its 2024 position of 51. Vice-Chancellor N K Lokanath attributed the decline primarily to a severe lack of permanent faculty. Of the nearly 400 sanctioned teaching posts, only 23 per cent are filled by full-time staff, while almost three-fourths remain vacant. “There have been no recruitments in nearly two decades,” he said, warning that the strength of permanent faculty may reduce further to 15 per cent in the next four years due to retirements.
Officials pointed out that staffing levels directly influence NIRF scores, as faculty numbers, research, and publications carry significant weightage. “Temporary teachers are unable to lead research teams or contribute extensively to academic publications, which impacts rankings,” Lokanath said.
The university’s financial position has also weakened. Once responsible for colleges across Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Hassan districts, UoM now oversees only Mysuru, as the State government’s policy of creating universities in every district has reduced both its student base and affiliation fee revenues. Enrolment in traditional arts and humanities courses has also fallen, with students shifting to skill-oriented and applied science programmes.
Despite the setback, UoM retained the 20th position among State-run public universities nationwide. However, officials and academics stressed that urgent intervention by the Karnataka government is needed to restore its standing. “Recruitment of permanent staff must be prioritized to strengthen research, improve quality of education and arrest further decline,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bengaluru: Four arrested for housebreaking, threats, extortion; fake PSI among accused
Bengaluru: Vidyaranyapura police have arrested four persons, including a man posing as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), for allegedly breaking into a house, threatening the occupants, and extorting money while wearing police uniforms.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mallikarjuna, Pramod, Vinay, and Hrithik.
Police said the accused had hatched a plan to pose as police personnel, conduct fake raids, and extort money from residents by intimidation.
ALSO READ: Bantwal police arrest two men for illegal sale of narcotics, seize two vehicles, 810 gm ganja
According to the police, Mallikarjuna had failed the PSI examination twice and later falsely projected himself as a PSI. He allegedly conducted photo shoots in his hometown, Siraguppa, wearing a police uniform, baton, cap, and shoes, claiming to be serving as a PSI in Bengaluru.
On December 7, the four accused allegedly went to the house of Naveen in the Vidyaranyapura limits, threatened him with a stick and an iron rod, and claimed they had information that he was selling ganja. Under the pretext of searching, they allegedly extorted ₹87,000 through bank transfer, ₹53,000 in cash kept in the house, and ₹2,000 from his wallet.
Following Naveen’s complaint, Vidyaranyapura police registered a case and launched an operation, leading to the arrest of all four accused. Police have seized ₹45,000 in cash and the car used to commit the crime.
Further investigation is underway.
