Once more Manipur University is in the spotlight for wrong reasons. This time, it is all about the manipulation and coterie of Prof (retd) Naorem Lokendra Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University. As constantly dig out of the wrong doings in Manipur University by one of the student unions in the State, the University has been allegedly practicing manipulation in the selection committees of different faculty and non-faculty recruitments; in order to serve the personal interests of Vice-Chancellor and his coterie, manipulations are being done in modifications of eligibility criteria as well as of composition of selection committee members. Student organization pointed out not only the coterie engaged in administrative misconduct, it also highlighted the possibilities of financial misappropriation and guarding the movement of files from one desk to another. The student organization, further, points out that the extent of corrupt practice is up to the level that the coterie members are in the selection committee of non-teaching staff selection though their close relatives are candidates.
Besides the corrupt practices in administration and financial management, the University is in chaos in implementing the jealously guarded NEP 2020 of BJP Government in Delhi, as reflected in a news report of Imphal Times September 29, 2025 issue and discussions in University and affiliated colleges. Hurriedly it was implemented in 2021 with many loopholes. The existing three batches of students under NEP 2020 do not have common curriculums and syllabi. This year again without approval of the Ordinances (hurriedly made without much debates at different levels) by any competent authority, the syllabi were made within two/three days. Without much discussion in the light of NEP 2020, the syllabi, framed by the concerned departments, are enforced even without the approval of the competent authority. This is happening under the directives of Prof (retd) Naorem Lokendra Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Manipur University. Because of this, there are conflicting definitions of basic elements of NEP 2020 curriculums. For example, the concept and meaning of “Minor Subject” are differently taken by different departments. Likewise, there is no consistency in the meaning of Elective Subjects in PG Course across the disciplines. The hurriedly prepared Ordinances and compulsively framed syllabi are not yet approved by any competent authority. Moreover, there is confusion over the UG 7th Semester. How the University is running under the able guidance of Prof (retd) Naorem Lokendra Singh? It is a million dollar question.
In order to save the career of the students under NEP 2020 in Manipur, the entire Manipur University functioning requires a thorough examination and thorough probe. If rectification is not made right now, the University will have a culture of coterie, favoritism and corruption. The building up of nests of corrupt persons in the University should be dismantle as soon as possible. The news circulated in the State about the malpractices in the University are not clarified and refuted by the University so far. This silence on the part of University authority speaks volumes.