SHILLONG: In a major development shaking the foundations of the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sumarbin Umdor, has tendered his resignation, effective the afternoon of December 15. The announcement was delivered to the University’s Deans and Officers in a crucial meeting on Friday, December 12, 2025.
Prof. Umdor’s decision follows an extended, high-stakes period where he single-handedly steered NEHU, taking on full responsibility for all day-to-day academic and administrative functions while the Vice-Chancellor was absent from the campus and the State.
Under his decisive leadership, NEHU not only maintained stability but also achieved several monumental milestones with end-semester UG and PG examinations being conducted on time, keeping the academic calendar strictly on track.
He cleared a backlog of critical tasks, including convening the Academic Council, completing teacher promotions (CAS), and finalizing non-teaching staff promotions (DPC).
The 100-seater girls’ hostel was made operational, and 24 new hostel seats were created and NEHU successfully hosted high-profile events like the Smart India Hackathon 2025, significantly boosting the University’s profile.
One of his most formidable battles was the staggering 42% reduction in UGC recurring grants for the 2025–26 financial year. Prof. Umdor implemented austere measures and rationalized resource deployment to stabilize the University’s finances and ensure the timely payment of temporary staff wages.
Key academic reforms were also driven forward: the NEP-UG programme advanced to its fifth semester, revised curricula incorporating internships were introduced, and the successful, first-ever CUET-based admissions for affiliated colleges were executed.
Despite these successes, the administrative environment became increasingly volatile. The resignation statement points to a failure to convene meetings of the crucial Executive Council due to resistance from students and staff.
Attempts to hold these meetings under the Vice-Chancellor’s chairmanship were met with strong opposition, and a proposed compromise—allowing the Senior Pro Vice-Chancellor (Tura Campus) to chair the meetings to address urgent welfare issues—was rejected.
The statement notes that routine administrative decisions have been “increasingly contested,” leading to disruption and delay. This toxic atmosphere has already resulted in a wave of senior exits, including the Registrar, the Finance Officer, and key senior faculty members who had taken on extra duties.
”Given the prevailing situation—marked by the absence of essential support systems and continued uncertainty surrounding key institutional decisions—it was felt that continuing in office would not serve the best interests of the University…”
Prof. Umdor, while expressing gratitude for the cooperation he received, concludes with a hope for the “restoration of stability and continued progress” for NEHU.
The resignation of such a high-performing administrator amidst a crisis leaves NEHU facing a significant void and a critical challenge to stabilize its leadership and campus environment.
