The Ministry of Education has announced a call for applications for the role of Director at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi. The successful candidate will be appointed for a term of five years or until the age of 70, whichever comes first. Currently, Laxmidhar Behera occupies the position, with his tenure ending in December 2026. The appointment will be made on a contractual basis and will require approval from the relevant authority, following the recommendations of a Search-cum-Selection Committee.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

Applicants are required to hold a PhD with a first-class degree or its equivalent, preferably in Engineering. Exceptional candidates with degrees in Science, Mathematics, or Management may also be taken into consideration. The Ministry emphasises that candidates should demonstrate an impressive academic track record and possess at least 10 years of teaching experience as a Professor at a reputable Engineering or Technology institution or university. Furthermore, candidates must have a background in supervising PhD students.

The position offers a monthly salary of Rs 2,25,000, which can be revised along with applicable allowances as per existing rules. The recruitment process coincides with ongoing scrutiny at IIT Mandi concerning a Janmashtami poster that controversially described Shudras as serving “higher classes”. Behera expressed his disapproval of the poster’s content and confirmed that the institute does not endorse such views.

The announcement for the Director’s role was made prior to the controversy surrounding the poster. As a result of the criticism, the institute has initiated an inquiry into the matter to address the concerns raised.

How to Submit Applications

Interested candidates must prepare and submit a detailed résumé in the specified format, which should outline their research contributions, teaching experience, collaborations with industry, and administrative accomplishments. A two-page justification for the application, along with a two-page vision statement for IIT Mandi and contact details of at least two references should also be included. Applications should be sent by Registered Post or Speed Post to the Ministry of Education’s Under Secretary in New Delhi and must reach the ministry by October 31, 2026.

Those currently employed in government departments, autonomous organisations, or public sector undertakings are instructed to apply through the proper channels, with an advance copy sent to the aforementioned address. Each application envelope should clearly state “APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF DIRECTOR, IIT MANDI” in bold lettering. Additionally, applicants are required to email a copy of their application, preferably in MS Word format, to the provided email address.

With Behera’s term set to conclude in December 2026, the outcome of this recruitment process will play a crucial role in determining the future leadership of IIT Mandi. The new Director will take on the responsibility of managing the institute’s academic and administrative priorities during a period marked by the ongoing expansion of Indian Institutes of Technology in terms of their institutional and research roles.

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