New Delhi: The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry, in a move that could mean longer innings for the Vice Chancellors of the Central Universities (CU), has sought to amend the statutes and provide two more terms to the VCs.

The current scenario of the VCs of seven universities including Jamia Millia Islamia, Banaras Hindu University, North-East Hill University and Pondicherry University, is that they can serve for two terms while the heads of the remaining 33 CUs still can serve for one term only.

With the move of the HRD, the VCs of the Delhi University (DU) and that of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) could help getting another term to serve the administration.

The term period of the VCs of both the universities nears expiry with Deepak Pental's (DU) term getting over in October while that of B.B. Bhattacharya's (JNU) in June this year.

JNU, infact had been mulling over this issue of amending the statute for over some time.

The Ministry, in its letter to the VCs communicated good news for them, which said that, with the retirement age of the teachers in the CUs being raised from 62 to 65 years and that of the VCs from 65 to 70 years, it has been noted that statutes of many universities do not allow for the re-appointment of a VC.

The letter from the ministry describes that after due deliberation, "The current post is also made eligible for the re-appointment for another term."

Since there is real dearth of proficient people willing to provide academic leadership in the university system, the HRD felt the need to take the initiative.

It has also argued that a second term will ensure that vice-chancellors who perform above par are able to render continued service in the university.

It cited the instance of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) where the directors are eligible for a second term.