Chandigarh, Feb 26: The Central Government has established a three-member committee to examine a proposal from Panjab University to increase the retirement age of its teaching faculty from 60 to 65 years. This development was shared with the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday during a hearing regarding the enhancement of the superannuation age for university staff.
Additional Solicitor-General of India Satya Pal Jain informed the Division Bench of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor that the Union Ministry of Education issued the order for the panel’s formation on February 25. The committee is chaired by former University Grants Commission head M Jagadesh Kumar and includes Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh and Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig.
The panel is tasked with analyzing the proposal within the legal and statutory framework of the university. Officials noted that the committee will specifically assess the fiscal sustainability and long-term financial impact of the change. The inquiry will also consider how the shift might affect future faculty recruitment and promotional opportunities within the institution.
According to government communications, the committee will evaluate the move in light of the university’s unique inter-state character. The panel is expected to compare the proposal with the Centre’s 2007 decision to raise retirement ages in centrally funded institutions, as well as the Chandigarh Administration’s 2022 adoption of Central Service Rules.
While the formation of the committee does not signify final approval, observers stated that it places the long-pending demand into a formal evaluative phase. The committee has been authorized to determine its own methodology to ensure a reasoned resolution that balances institutional parity with financial viability.
