KU postpones Assistant Prof interviews, leaving candidates in limbo

Srinagar, Nov 11: Shortlisted candidates for Assistant Professor positions at the University of Kashmir expressed frustration after the varsity unexpectedly postponed interviews for five subjects. The interviews, initially scheduled to begin on November 11, 2024, were postponed without explanation, citing “administrative issues.”
Aspirants, who had been preparing for the interviews for weeks, were left in confusion and disappointment after the postponement notice was uploaded on the university’s website. “It was shocking to see the university cancel the interviews at the eleventh hour,” one candidate said, adding that the notice provided no clear reason for the delay.
The university’s notice, issued on the website, confirmed that the interviews, originally set to run from November 11 to 14, had been postponed indefinitely. “We regret the inconvenience,” it added.
Many candidates, some of whom have been waiting since 2018, voiced their concern over the ongoing delays. “This postponement has not only discouraged us but also raised doubts about the university’s commitment to timely recruitment,” one aspirant said.
The delay follows previous setbacks, including the withdrawal of earlier advertisements for these positions. “The constant cycle of advertising, postponement, and withdrawal is undermining our qualifications and professional prospects,” another aspirant pointed out. Many candidates have also exceeded the UGC age limit of 40 years after years of preparation.
While rumors on social media suggested that some candidates had approached the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister to halt the interviews due to concerns of favoritism, the shortlisted aspirants dismissed these claims as unfounded, attributing the delay to the ongoing Model Code of Conduct linked to recent elections.
The candidates are calling on the university to resolve the issue and proceed with the interviews to avoid further setbacks in their recruitment process.