IUST Awantipora Vice-Chancellor Recruitment 2026: Eligibility, Age Limit, Term and Application Details

The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, has invited applications for the selection and appointment of a Vice-Chancellor. The detailed advertisement has been issued for the position at the state university located in Awantipora, Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir.

The university has stated that the Vice-Chancellor will serve as its principal academic and executive head and will exercise powers prescribed under the applicable University Act, Statutes and Ordinances. The recruitment process is based on the provisions of the J&K Islamic University of Science and Technology Act, 2005, the applicable UGC regulations and other statutory provisions.

IUST Vice-Chancellor Recruitment 2026

According to the advertisement, the Selection Committee was constituted through Order No. 04-LGS of 2026 dated February 28, 2026, read with Order No. 32-LGS of 2026 dated August 29, 2026. The committee has invited nominations and applications from distinguished academicians for appointment as Vice-Chancellor of IUST, Awantipora.

The university describes itself as a state university established under J&K Government Act No. XVIII of 2005. It offers programmes in Engineering, Management, Sciences, Humanities and Islamic Studies, and is recognised by the University Grants Commission under Sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956. The institution is also accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council and approved by AICTE.

Role and Responsibilities of Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor will be responsible for providing academic vision, strategic direction and leadership to the university. The position also involves oversight of academic, administrative, financial and developmental activities.

The advertisement lists implementation of national education policies, including the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, among the responsibilities of the office.

The Vice-Chancellor will also be expected to foster research, innovation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary collaboration. The role includes enhancing IUST's national and international standing through academic partnerships, rankings and accreditations.

Other responsibilities include promoting equity, inclusion and access to higher education, particularly with regard to the socio-educational development of the region. The office will also focus on strengthening industry-academia linkages, engagement with society, financial sustainability, resource mobilisation and efficient utilisation of funds.

Eligibility Criteria

The advertisement requires applicants to meet the eligibility conditions prescribed under Regulation 7.3 of the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2018, along with the applicable provisions of the IUST Act and University Statutes.

Candidates are required to be distinguished academicians or eminent scholars holding a Ph.D. degree and possessing a consistently outstanding academic record. They should also have demonstrated academic and institutional leadership.

Applicants must have at least 10 years of experience as a Professor in a university or 10 years of experience in a reputed research and/or academic administrative organisation. The advertisement further requires demonstrated evidence of having provided academic leadership.

In addition, candidates are expected to possess high academic standing, integrity, moral stature and institutional commitment, along with the ability to provide effective academic and administrative leadership to a university.

Age Limit

The maximum age prescribed for applicants is 65 years. The candidate must not be more than 65 years of age as on the last date for receipt of applications specified in the advertisement.

The notice also states that during the tenure of office, the Vice-Chancellor cannot continue beyond the age of 70 years.

Tenure of Office

The Vice-Chancellor will hold office for an initial term of three years. The term can be extended up to five years from the date of assumption of charge or until the office-holder reaches 70 years of age, whichever is earlier.

The office is full-time, and the advertisement states that no other office, whether paid or honorary, can be held concurrently without prior approval of the Chancellor.

The Vice-Chancellor will also be eligible for applicable service-related benefits in accordance with relevant UGC regulations and IUST rules. Pay and allowances will be governed by the applicable UGC regulations and the IUST Act, 2005. The selected office-holder will have an official furnished residence within the university campus.

How to Apply for IUST Vice-Chancellor Post

The application form is attached to the advertisement and is also made available through the IUST and Higher Education Department websites.

Applicants are required to submit a duly signed application form along with a detailed Curriculum Vitae and proof of date of birth. The complete application and relevant documents must be submitted electronically through the email address specified in the advertisement, strictly in PDF format.

The notice directs applicants to submit only one application for the post, with the email subject line specified as “Application for the Post of Vice Chancellor, IUST, Awantipora.”

Last Date and Submission of Hard Copy

The last date for receipt of applications is September 24, 2026, up to 5:00 p.m. Applications received after the prescribed deadline will not be entertained.

In addition to the electronic submission, applicants must send a hard copy of the application to the office of the Special Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department, Room No. 213, Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, J&K-190009.

The hard copy must be submitted in a sealed envelope superscribed with “Application for the Post of Vice Chancellor, IUST, Awantipora.”

Candidates already in service are required to attach a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and Vigilance/Integrity Certificate from their present employer.

Selection and General Conditions

The Selection Committee reserves the right to shortlist candidates and call only those considered suitable for interaction and/or interview. The committee may also withdraw the advertisement or cancel or postpone the selection process at any stage.

The advertisement states that canvassing or attempting to bring influence in any form will result in disqualification. Appointments will remain subject to the J&K IUST Act, XVIII of 2005, University Statutes, UGC Regulations, 2018, and other applicable laws and guidelines.

Incomplete applications or applications not submitted in the prescribed format will be rejected. The office will not be responsible for postal delays or loss in transit. Any disputes arising in connection with the process will fall under the jurisdiction of courts in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir only.

Application Form Details

The accompanying application form requires candidates to provide personal information, details of their present position, educational qualifications and professional experience. Applicants must list educational qualifications chronologically, beginning with the latest qualification and continuing down to graduation.

The form also seeks details of innovative academic programme participation, conferences, memoranda of understanding, publications and research guided. For research supervision, only awarded degrees are to be included, while work in progress is not to be counted.

Applicants are additionally required to provide a vision for IUST, covering the university's growth in academics, research, industry linkages and community development, in up to 500 words. The form also requires references from at least three referees of national or international standing who are not related to the applicant.

The advertisement is numbered HED-SS/IUST-VC/2026-09 and is dated September 2, 2026.