Former Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat University, Neerja Gupta, has refuted claims regarding financial misconduct involving Rs 40 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK). Gupta described the allegations as a “misleading and malicious narrative” intended to damage her reputation. Her public statement followed protests on August 27, 2026, organized by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and Congress leaders, who accused her of mismanaging funds allocated to the university.

According to the allegations, the university purportedly received Rs 40 crore, with claims that the transactions were unaccounted for. Responding to this, Gupta clarified that though Rs 40 crore was the sanctioned project amount, the university did not receive the entire sum. She stated that only Rs 16.50 crore had been released as the first instalment, with no further funding allocated.

Gupta emphasised that the funds were intended for the PIPMGVK Jain Manuscript initiative, and had been credited to the university’s account, not her personal finances. She detailed that out of the Rs 16.50 crore received, Rs 1,90,80,228 was spent, and the remaining Rs 14,59,19,772, along with interest accrued, was returned to the university via a bank draft submitted concurrently with her resignation.

Concerns About Enquiry Panel’s Impartiality

In her response, Gupta also expressed concerns regarding the enquiry committee established by the acting Vice-Chancellor to investigate the allegations against her. She highlighted that two committee members had previously shown dissatisfaction with her, both in person and in writing, over the past eleven months.

Gupta indicated that she had extended multiple invitations for dialogue with these members, with none of them accepting. “Can we call such a committee impartial?” she questioned, urging the in-charge Vice-Chancellor to consult the Higher Education Department before proceeding with any further actions related to the investigation.

Gupta reiterated her willingness to address any inquiries and undergo scrutiny, while imploring the university and student organisations to refrain from acting on information she labelled as factually incorrect. Gupta’s comments suggest a significant level of concern regarding procedural integrity in the ongoing investigation, as she called for transparency and fairness in the process.

Clarifications on Consultancy and Research Work

Additionally, Gupta responded to questions regarding the ethics of a Vice-Chancellor engaging in consultancy or paid research during their tenure. She argued that academic leaders have a duty to apply their expertise for the advancement of the nation, asserting that qualifications have a bearing on consultancy roles and research initiatives and don’t depend on their position or salary as Vice-Chancellor.

Gupta referenced her previous work with the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) to illustrate her point, explaining that she had initiated an ICHR project while at Sanchi University. Following her appointment at Gujarat University, the project was transferred to the new institution, receiving the corresponding funding.

She encouraged those levelling accusations to pursue documentary proof instead of relying solely on the allegedly mismanaged figure of Rs 40 crore. Furthermore, Gupta stated that the institution has documented all expenditures related to the PMJVK through proper invoicing, and that the financial accounts concerning the project were currently with the chartered accountant’s office. She confirmed that a utilisation certificate was in preparation for submission to the relevant PMJVK authorities.

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