On 30 June 2024, the Assam
Crime Investigation Department (CID) and local police arrested nine individuals, including three government officials, in connection with a mark sheet scam at Gauhati University. The scheme involved manipulating students' marks for a fee, with claims that the rates reached ₹16,000 for individual papers and up to ₹100,000 for all papers in a semester. Concerns were raised by the Postgraduate Students’ Union, prompting Assam Chief Minister
Himanta Biswa Sarma to call for an investigation. The CID, assisted by university authorities, conducted raids in multiple locations, leading to the arrests of individuals identified as Azizul Haque, Krishan Krishnamurti, Ismail Hussain, Alomgir Khan, Moinul Haque, Hamezuddin, Abul Baser, Aminul Islam, and Shivtosh Mahato. The vice-chancellor of Gauhati University, Pratap Jyoti Handique, indicated that the mastermind behind the operation is an employee of the Integrated University Management System (IUMS). The investigation, initially focused on Barpeta, revealed further complexities, leading to ongoing inquiries and the possibility of additional arrests. On 30 September 2024, Gauhati University temporarily closed two boys’ hostels—RCC-1 and RCC-2—following a violent clash between students on 27 September, a day after the postgraduate elections. The incident resulted in injuries to both students and security personnel, with some requiring intensive medical care. According to a notice issued by the university, the situation escalated due to the involvement of outsiders, leading to serious injuries. As a result, the administration ordered the immediate closure of the two hostels. Alternative accommodation arrangements were made for the residents of RCC-1 and RCC-2 in other hostels within the university campus. The students were given a 48-hour window, ending at 4 pm on 2 October, to relocate, with the university providing transportation facilities to facilitate the move. The district administration and local law enforcement were called upon to maintain peace and security on the campus. The university, in its statement, emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety of its students and preventing further incidents. Wardens from other hostels were instructed to assist in the relocation process and ensure that mess facilities were available for the displaced students. The relocation was required to be completed by 2 October, and a final list of relocated boarders was to be submitted by 5 October. On 15 November 2024, a staff member of Gauhati University was detained on allegations of extorting money from students. The accused, identified as Ankur Barman, was apprehended from the university premises. Barman, who was employed in the office of the Controller of Examinations, allegedly demanded money from students in exchange for providing various services. Police investigations indicated that he had been involved in such activities for an extended period. A police official from the Jalukbari Outpost confirmed the arrest, stating that Barman was detained for extorting funds from students and remains in custody. On 2 December 2024, Gituraj Lahkar, an employee of Gauhati University, was arrested by Jalukbari Police on charges of accepting a bribe. According to the allegations, Lahkar had accepted Rs 1,800 from a female student for securing her admission. The student filed an FIR at the Jalukbari Police Station, leading to the arrest. The university has faced ongoing challenges related to delays in examination results and the issuance of certificates. These delays, which have persisted for years, have led to dissatisfaction among students and alumni, impacting their academic and professional pursuits. Many students have reported waiting extended periods for their exam results, with some still awaiting results from semesters completed over a year ago. For instance, a student pursuing a BA LLB program expressed concerns about not receiving results for their third semester, which hindered their academic progress. The issue is not restricted to undergraduate students. Alumni have also raised concerns about delays in obtaining necessary documents such as degree certificates and transcripts. These delays have affected many individuals who require these documents for higher education or employment opportunities. Some former students have reported difficulty in reaching the university’s administration, with complaints about the lack of response to emails and calls. The Post Graduate Students’ Union (PGSU) has been vocal about these issues, citing systemic problems such as an outdated university portal, a shortage of permanent faculty, and slow processing of results by the Controller of Examinations. These inefficiencies, according to the union, have led to confusion and disruptions in students' academic journeys. The university has acknowledged these challenges. Officials have attributed the delays to factors such as outdated systems, staff shortages, and procedural bottlenecks. Despite assurances of improvements, including plans for digitization and process streamlining, many students and alumni remain skeptical, noting that the situation has not significantly improved over the years. Experts suggest that modernizing the university’s digital infrastructure and improving administrative efficiency could address some of these challenges. Enhancing staff training and ensuring adequate personnel might also help alleviate the operational issues contributing to the delays. While the university's leadership has committed to addressing these concerns, the delays in results and certificates continue to tarnish its reputation. Stakeholders, including current students and alumni, have called for greater transparency and accountability, with many urging the university to take concrete steps to resolve the longstanding issues. The situation highlights the need for systematic changes to ensure timely processing of academic records and certificates, which are critical for students’ future opportunities. On 12 December 2024, Gauhati University received an email threatening that bombs had been planted at at least seven locations on its campus. The authorities were immediately alerted and took swift action to ensure the safety of students and staff. Police, along with bomb detection teams, conducted a thorough search of the campus. However, no suspicious devices were found, and the search was concluded without incident. On 23 February 2025, a violent altercation erupted among students during a cultural evening at Gauhati University, prompting university officials to cancel the event. The clash occurred late at night near the RCC2 Hostel, and journalists attempting to report on the situation faced harassment. As the news of the incident spread, journalists on night duty entered the campus with permission from security personnel. While gathering details, they parked their vehicle near the hostel and were reportedly confronted by a group of intoxicated students. Eyewitnesses indicated that the group, allegedly led by research scholar Neep Jyoti Kalita, misbehaved with the journalists, using abusive language and making threats, while blocking their vehicle to prevent them from leaving. Kalita, who was allegedly intoxicated, is associated with a student organization and is related to former MLA Satyabrata Kalita. Security personnel intervened to mitigate further escalation, but the incident raised concerns about safety on campus and the conduct of senior students during events. On 26 March 2025, a report highlighted that between 2022 and 2024, Gauhati University, recorded 15 ragging-related complaints. The university was listed among the top eight institutions in India with significant ragging incidents. The report also stated that during this period, a total of 51 fatalities were linked to ragging across various institutions, with 20 deaths occurring in 2024 alone. The university recently witnessed significant unrest due to student protests and administrative decisions. The controversy emerged following allegations of misconduct against the university’s Exam Controller, Dr. Kandarpa Sarma, leading to demands for his removal. On 27 March 2025, students from the Post Graduate Students’ Union (PGSU) and the University Law College Students’ Union (ULCSU) staged a protest against Dr. Kandarpa Sarma, citing multiple instances of alleged misbehavior. The situation escalated when two student representatives visited Sarma’s office to discuss examination-related concerns but claimed to have faced inappropriate behavior instead of resolution. Frustrated by the lack of response from the administration despite previous complaints, students gathered at the Vice Chancellor’s office, demanding immediate action. Vice Chancellor Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta initially assured students that a decision would be made within ten minutes. In response to the growing unrest, the university administration issued an official notice (Ref. VCO/GU/Emer/2025/01-10) announcing the temporary removal of Dr. Kandarpa Sarma from his position pending an investigation. A committee was formed to examine the allegations, including representatives from both PGSU and ULCSU to ensure transparency. Until the committee submits its report, all examination-related matters have been temporarily assigned to the Registrar. Vice Chancellor Mahanta later addressed the issue, expressing regret over his emotional response and reaffirming his commitment to reforms within the examination system. He emphasized that while peaceful protests were recognized as a right, disruptive actions would not be tolerated, although no such alleged actions have been carried out by students. The administration reassured students that normalcy had been restored and that necessary steps were being taken to address their concerns. The investigation committee is expected to submit its findings within a week, after which a final decision on the matter will be taken. Student leaders have indicated that they will continue their protest if adequate action is not taken based on the committee’s findings. On 28 March 2025, the university removed Kandarpa Sarma from his position as Exam Controller following intense student protests over allegations of misconduct and introduced a digital grievance redressal system for examination issues. In November 2025, the Nagaon district unit of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Assam requesting the removal of Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta from his position as Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University. The memorandum alleged irregularities and corruption in the use of university funds for infrastructure projects. The district unit, led by president Prabal Sarma and general secretary Hemanta Das, cited media reports highlighting these alleged financial and administrative issues. AJYCP had previously called for Dr. Mahanta’s resignation, but no action was taken. The memorandum emphasized the need for an impartial investigation, stating that the university’s reputation and the academic prospects of its students could be affected if the allegations were not addressed. The organisation expressed concern that failure to act could further undermine the institution’s credibility and called for swift measures to ensure transparency in university administration. == Enrollment Initiatives ==