Fund-starved UoM slashes guest faculty count, passes ₹150-crore deficit budget

DESPITE opposition from syndicate and senate members, the University of Madras (UoM) has gone ahead with deductions in its expenses under several heads, including reduction in number of guest faculties and non-teaching staff, in its budget estimate for 2025-26.

- BINITA JAISWAL @Chennai

The university has passed a deficit budget of ₹149.86 crore for the financial year. This is the third time in a row that the university is staring at a deficit budget. The revised budget for 2025-26 was passed on Wednesday after senate members sent their views through email to the registrar.

"Without any discussion, the budget was passed after taking the views of senate members through emails. This is not a fair process. Many senators had vehemently opposed the budget cuts, but we were informed that the majority was in favour of it and so the budget was passed," said a senate member.