PU Chandigarh Announces 33 Teaching Vacancies

Chandigarh Panjab University (PU) Chandigarh has opened applications for 33 teaching posts across various departments, but the announcement has sparked concerns among students and faculty alike due to continued neglect of certain key disciplines. Among the departments that once again find themselves excluded is the Department of Mass Communication — a move that has drawn criticism for the second consecutive recruitment cycle.

According to the official notification, applications are being invited for teaching posts that include assistant professors, associate professors, and professors in multiple departments. However, almost 50% of these posts remain unfilled from previous rounds of recruitment, raising questions about the university’s hiring process and priorities. Interested candidates can apply until August 21.

What’s raising eyebrows is the repeated omission of the Mass Communication department, which hasn’t seen a single new appointment in recent years despite growing student interest and rising demand for journalism and media studies in the digital age. Students from the department have expressed frustration, saying their academic experience is being compromised due to staff shortages and limited mentorship.

“This is disappointing,” said Rhea, a final-year journalism student. “We’re in one of the most sought-after media courses in North India, and yet, we don’t have a full faculty. Our guest lecturers do their best, but it’s not the same as having permanent faculty guiding us.” Her concern is echoed by other students, many of whom have taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction and seek answers.

Sources within the university administration admit that budgetary constraints and procedural delays have affected faculty hiring in certain departments, but many feel that the issue is also one of priority. “Mass Communication is not new or niche anymore—it’s a mainstream field with wide-reaching impact. Ignoring it in two successive rounds of hiring sends the wrong message,” said a former faculty member.

Panjab University, one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in North India, is expected to maintain a balance across all departments. The uneven attention, particularly toward arts and communication fields, is sparking a broader debate about the future direction of public universities in India. Students and alumni alike are calling for a more inclusive hiring policy that meets the academic demands of all streams.

Despite these issues, the university is hopeful that the recruitment drive will attract qualified candidates in the approved departments. Officials maintain that they are working towards addressing all faculty shortages and hope to bring attention to overlooked departments in upcoming rounds. Still, with the deadline fast approaching and no mention of Mass Communication in the list, optimism is running low in that department.

Applicants interested in applying can visit the official Panjab University website and submit their credentials by August 21. Meanwhile, students and faculty continue to hope that future hiring decisions will better reflect the academic needs of all disciplines.