Shimla, September 2: The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday passed the Himachal Pradesh State Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2026, amid opposition from BJP legislators, with the government saying the move will bring greater transparency to recruitment and strengthen financial discipline in six state-run universities.
The Bill, introduced by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday, was passed by voice vote.
Under the amended provisions, direct recruitment of teaching staff in the six universities will be conducted through the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC). Direct recruitment to non-teaching posts will be carried out through the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog (HPRCA) or any other recruitment agency notified by the state government.
The recruitment process will follow University Grants Commission (UGC) norms. Universities will retain the authority to appoint professors and associate professors, while other appointments will be made through the state recruitment commissions.
Sukhu said the amendments would ensure transparency in government job recruitment in universities and prevent irregularities. He also said the move would bring greater transparency to university expenditure.
The Bill provides that the finance committee of the universities will be headed by the state government’s finance secretary, aimed at strengthening financial oversight.
