Ministry of Education Withdraws Notification on Punjab University
New Delhi:In a significant development, the Central Government has withdrawn its earlier notification concerning Punjab University, issued just a week ago. The latest decision has been published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) by the Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education on November 4, 2025.
According to the new notification (S.O. 5022(E)), the Centre has rescinded the earlier Gazette notification (S.O. 4933(E)) dated October 28, 2025, which was issued under the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 (Section 72).
The document, signed by Rina Sonowal Kouli, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, states that the withdrawal is made “in exercise of the powers conferred” under the said Act, effectively nullifying the previous order.
Although the Gazette does not detail the reasons behind the reversal, the move comes amid intense debate and protests in Punjab over the Union Government’s role and control in the functioning of Punjab University, Chandigarh. Several student unions, faculty bodies, and political parties had raised concerns over what they called an attempt to dilute the university’s traditional status as an institution with a distinct identity linked to the state.
With the withdrawal of the October 28 notification, the Centre has effectively rolled back its earlier decision, signaling a pause on any proposed structural or administrative changes at Punjab University for now.
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