NSF seeks removal of NIT Nagaland Director

Cites corruption case, administrative failures and prolonged delay in convocation

Dimapur, August 25 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has submitted a representation to the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India demanding the termination of Dr A Elayaperumal, Director of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Nagaland, citing criminal proceedings against him and alleged administrative failures that have severely impacted student welfare and academic governance.

In its memorandum to the Secretary of MoE, the NSF has raised several grievances, including ongoing vigilance and criminal proceedings against the Director, alleged lack of requisite vigilance clearance prior to his appointment, prolonged absence from the institute, failure to conduct Board of Governors meetings for ten months, and significant delays in issuing degrees to graduating students.

The Federation has taken cognizance of the vigilance proceedings initiated by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), Tamil Nadu concerning Dr Elayaperumal, which was published in national print media on November 15, 2025. Subsequently, an FIR has been registered on charges of cheating, collusion, and corruption in a ‘ghost faculty’ matter concerning officials of Anna University, in which the Director has been named.

“Considering his position as Director of an Institution of National Importance, the Federation urges the Ministry to verify the official status of the case and examine whether it has any bearing on his appointment or continuation in office,” it stated.

Questions have also been raised regarding whether the requisite vigilance clearance and No Objection Certificate from his parent institution, reportedly Anna University, were duly obtained prior to his appointment/assumption of charge. The Ministry has been requested to verify all relevant appointment and service records.

The Federation has raised serious concerns regarding the Director’s accessibility and alleged prolonged absence from the Institute. Students have reported that he has failed to conduct Board of Governors meetings for the past ten months. Concerns have also been raised regarding the non-availability of annual reports for 2024-25 and 2025-26, delays in infrastructure projects, and inadequate communication concerning seminars, scholarships, workshops, and other academic opportunities. Further, the Federation noted that he has failed to conduct Board of Governors meetings for the past 10 months.

The NSF has also highlighted that the last convocation of NIT Nagaland was reportedly held in 2023, while subsequent graduating batches are still awaiting their degrees.

“This prolonged delay is adversely affecting students’ employment, higher education, competitive examinations and professional opportunities,” the Federation said, requesting the Ministry to ascertain the reasons for the delay and fix responsibility for any administrative failure.

Further, the Federation has demanded strict compliance with the suspension order of the Registrar, Dr Manoj E Prabhakar, who was placed under suspension by the Chairman of the Board of Governors on August 5, 2026, citing “clear reasons of his non-cooperation, incompetency and total failure to perform as a Registrar & Member Secretary, Board of Governors.”

The Federation expressed concern that despite the suspension order, the Registrar continues to attend and remain present at the institute. “The Registrar, NIT Nagaland, should be immediately removed from NIT Nagaland and appropriate disciplinary action should be initiated in accordance with the applicable rules so as to safeguard the academic and administrative interests and ensure smooth and effective functioning of NIT Nagaland,” the Federation demanded.

NSF has requested the Ministry to initiate termination proceedings against the Director within 30 days from the date of receipt of the official communiqué.