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Delhi University has directed St. Stephen's College not to proceed with the appointment of its new Principal, Professor Susan Elias, for the time being. Let's look at the details.

St. Stephen's College recently announced Professor Susan Elias as its new Principal. This marked the first time in the college's history that a woman was set to assume this responsibility. However, Delhi University has raised objections to this appointment and issued a directive to halt it, thereby sparking a fresh dispute between the two institutions.

Delhi University (DU) has sent an official letter to St. Stephen's College stating that the appointment of the new Principal should not be implemented for the time being. DU asserts that the Selection Committee responsible for choosing Professor Susan Elias was not constituted in accordance with the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations of 2018.

According to DU, the appointment of a Principal in any college mandates the inclusion of university representatives and subject experts within the Selection Committee. However, in this instance, this procedure was not executed correctly; consequently, the selection cannot be deemed valid.

Who is Susan Elias?

Professor Susan Elias is a computer scientist and an experienced academic administrator. She had been appointed as the new Principal of St. Stephen's College and was scheduled to assume office on June 1, 2026. She was set to succeed the incumbent Principal, Professor John Varghese. Her appointment was being hailed as historic, as it marked the first time the college had selected a woman for its top leadership position.

DU's Objection

In its objection, Delhi University has stated that the Selection Committee was not constituted in accordance with the prescribed regulations. The experts nominated by the University were not included in the committee. Furthermore, the UGC regulations of 2018 were not adhered to. Consequently, the recommendations made by the Selection Committee may be deemed invalid. DU has issued clear instructions to the college that the appointment of the new Principal must not proceed until the selection process is conducted correctly once again.

The College's Stance

St. Stephen's College asserts that the entire selection process was conducted in strict accordance with the rules. According to the college administration, a public advertisement was issued for the post of Principal. Candidates were shortlisted, and interviews and presentations were conducted. The selection process was entirely transparent. The college maintains that there were no irregularities whatsoever in the appointment and that it is completely valid.

A Long-Standing Dispute

This matter is not merely about a single appointment; rather, it is part of a long-standing administrative dispute between Delhi University (DU) and St. Stephen's College. Differences have previously surfaced between the two institutions regarding the appointment of the Principal, extensions of tenure, and the autonomy of the college. DU contends that, even though the college is a minority institution, it is mandatory for it to adhere to UGC regulations. Conversely, the college argues that it should be granted greater autonomy in its internal administrative processes.